Maui Guidebook

Olowalu Beaches

Last updated 01. Dec, 2010 by Mark.

Photo Credit: MTSphoto licensed under Creative Commons

Rating:

In a nutshell: Long, narrow beach with shallow offshore reef. This is a good destination for snorkeling.
Minuses: Kiawe thorns & beach is marginal.
Sound-bite: “Don’t step on the reef!”

This article is scheduled for further development. There are multiple beaches in this area, and this is a more general summary.

Summary:
This is a go-to for snorkeling, possibly beginner surfing and boogie boarding – but be careful with the very shallow reef! Other uses are marginal and there are no facilities …

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Honokowai Beach Park

Last updated 02. Aug, 2010 by Mark.

Honokowai Beach Park

Rating:

In a nutshell: Great place to have a picnic from the many nearby yummy take-out joints.
Minuses: Reef is right at the shoreline.
Sound-bite: “What’s an Okazuya?”

QUICK SUMMARY:
Very pretty beach park to sit out and just enjoy being there – swimming is restricted to a shallow pool situated between rocky ledges of reef. This long shallow pool is perfect for kids and there is also plenty of shade at the beaches edge.

Beyond the rocky ledges the ocean is shallow and even though it …

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Lahaina Baby Beach (aka Pu’unoa beach)

Last updated 16. Feb, 2010 by Mark.

Lahaina Baby Beach

Rating:

In a nutshell: Shallow and safe for little kids because of the offshore reef.
Minuses: Very poor swimming.
Sound-bite: “Hey, it’s nicer than the beach in Atlantic City!”

There is also a (much higher rated) Baby Beach on the North Shore.

DETAILS:
Lahaina’s Baby Beach is mostly visited by local families with young children. The beach is protected by an exposed stretch of reef, creating a calm shallow area where small children won’t be knocked down by a big wave, and parents can let kids run …

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Hanaka’o'o Beach Park (aka Canoe Beach)

Last updated 02. May, 2010 by Mark.

Rating:

In a nutshell: Less touristy extension of beach past Ka’anapali beach.
Minuses: Crowded on weekends.
Sound-bite: [roar of a jet ski]

QUICK SUMMARY:
Connected to the south of Ka’anapali Beach. This beach park is where outrigger canoes launch (hence the nickname.)

There is good swimming, but poor visibility for snorkeling. Beach is more popular with locals, and less touristy than further north on this stretch of sand – although activities sold on Ka’anapali Beach, like Jet Skis are launched here. Kahana Canoe Club, Lahaina Canoe Club and Napili Canoe …

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Beaches: Ma’alaea to Lahaina

Last updated 02. May, 2010 by Mark.

Ukumehame Beach Park is practically on the road.

Rating:

In a nutshell: A cliff-side and shoreline drive to Lahaina passes along a spectacularly scenic shoreline with many beaches.
Minuses: The road.
Sound-bite: [cars]
snorkeling
QUICK SUMMARY:
The Honoapiilani Highway hugs the coastline, passing cliffs, ocean lookouts and beaches. Parts of this drive are so close, that the beach is quite literally the shoulder. Most of the beaches are not visitor go-to places for sunning and playing, but they sure are nice to drive by. Learning to surf is one of …

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Kamehameha Iki Park (aka Armory Park)

Last updated 02. May, 2010 by Mark.

Hale at Kamehameha Iki Park

Rating:

In a nutshell: Historic beach, park and surfing
Minuses: A lot of dead coral in the water.
Sound-bite: [Feast at Lele Luau]

QUICK SUMMARY:
This beach of historic significance was once home to royalty. In recent history it was abused and much of the history lost or hidden; coral and sea life also suffered. This immediate area is in the genesis of cultural renaissance, there is an historic heiau with a traditional hale worth a look.

Kamehameha Iki Park beach

There is also two …

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Wahikui Wayside (aka Cop Shop)

Last updated 02. May, 2010 by Mark.

Rating:

In a nutshell: Best known for beginner’s 20′ dive.
Minuses: Thin, rocky, semi-sand, right on highway.
Sound-bite: [passing traffic]

QUICK SUMMARY:
Between Lahaina and Ka’anapali, this is a thin, rocky, semi-sand, right along the highway. It is a County park, so it has facilities. Best known for beginner’s 20′ dive. Nickname comes from the fact that it is across the street from the police station and District Court. Not really a go-to place unless you have a reason.

Info:
Mile Marker: #22-23 (Hwy 30 aka Honoapiilani Hwy) – See …

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Kapalua Beach

Last updated 02. May, 2010 by Mark.

Rating:
Article In Progress

In a nutshell: This cove is virtually a large swimming pool with a sandy beach.
Minuses: Parking
Sound-bite: “Ouch, my toe!”

QUICK SUMMARY:
Situated in a very protected cove, this cove is virtually a large swimming pool. Fair snorkeling, as visibility is frequently not the best. Beach is backed by development and there is a fair amount of rocky bottom in the cove.

Key Info:
Mile Marker: #29 or 30 (Hwy 30 aka Honoapiilani Hwy) access to Lower Honoapiilani Rd. – See Google map below for …

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Keonenui Beach

Last updated 02. May, 2010 by Mark.

Rating:
Article In Progress

In a nutshell: Small beach set inside a cove; fair snorkeling.
Minuses: The Kahana Sunset has virtually claimed the beach as their own.
Sound-bite: “Excuse me sir, but I believe this is our private beach.”

QUICK SUMMARY:
No beaches on Maui are private – public access is guaranteed for all. That said, this beach appears to have been swallowed by the Kahana Sunset, and they market their condo rentals in such a way that even many guests believe it is private. Feel free to educate them …

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Ka’opala Beach

Last updated 02. May, 2010 by Mark.

Rating:
Article In Progress

In a nutshell: Tiny beach of mixed rock and sand. Unlikely to be worth your time.
Minuses: The muck?
Sound-bite: “What’s that smell?”

QUICK SUMMARY:
The name probably translates most closely into “the muck” which is said to refer to the stagnant stream that empties into the ocean in line with the current. I’ll let you be the judge

Key Info:
Mile Marker: #29 (Hwy 30 aka Honoapiilani Hwy) access to Lower Honoapiilani Rd. – See Google map below for exact location.
GPS Coordinates: 20.9820969,-156.673407
Facilities: …

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