Hawaii Halawa Beach Guide

At the foot of scenic Halawa Valley is this beautiful black-sand beach with a palm-fringed lagoon, a wave-lashed island offshore, and a distant view of the West Maui Mountains across the Pailolo Channel. The swimming is safe in the shallows close to shore, but where the waterfall stream meets the sea, the ocean is often murky and unnerving. A winter swell creases the mouth of Halawa Valley on the north side of the bay and attracts a crowd of local surfers. Facilities are minimal; bring your own water. To get here, take King Kamehameha V Highway (Hwy. 450) east to the end.

Halawa Beach Park is actually made up of two beaches - Kama'alaea Beach (the curved beach on the left) and Kawilli Beach (the rocky, more exposed beach on the right). The two beaches together form a curved bay-type area at this eastern end of the island. Both beaches are usually calm in the summer. However, the winter months bring large waves and this becomes an excellent surfing beach.

Halawa Beach Park is set on the beautiful Halawa Bay, a popular fishing, picnicking and sunbathing spot on Molokai's east shore. Two beaches draw visitors to Halawa Beach Park: Kamaalea Beach and Kawilli Beach connect here to perfectly frame the bay. Halawa Beach is said to have been a favorite surfing spot for Molokai chiefs in ancient Hawaii. High surf discourages swimmers in winter, but experienced surfers may find challenging rides during the big wave months. The Halawa Stream, a freshwater tributary, carries mountain rainwater down to meet the Pacific at its mouth on Kawilli Beach. Kamaalea is a gently curving white sand beach, and Kawilli is a rockier, less protected stretch of coast. Both are great swimming spots in summer when conditions are tame. The island of Maui can be seen off in the distance from Halawa Beach Park, a memorable view that begs to be captured on film. Halawa is a well-liked spot due to its relative seclusion and stunning scenery. Sunbathing, picnicking and fishing are popular daytime activities at beautiful Halawa Beach Park.

Useful Information cont.:

Use EXTREME CAUTION before entering the water
Excellent surfing area in winter
Rocky and sandy beach areas
Gentle slope to shoreline into deeper waters
Other Beach at east Moloka'i
The East End unfolds as a coastal drive with turnouts for tiny cove beaches -- good places for snorkeling, shore-fishing, or scuba exploring. Rocky little Mokuho'oniki Island marks the eastern point of the island and serves as a nursery for humpback whales in the winter. The road loops around the East End, then descends and ends at Halawa Valley.

Waialua Beach Park. This arched strip of golden sand, a roadside pull-off near mile marker 20, also goes by the name Twenty Mile Beach. The water here, protected by the flanks of the little bay, is often so clear and shallow (sometimes too shallow) that even from land you can watch fish swimming among the coral heads. This is the most popular snorkeling spot on the island, a pleasant place to stop on the drive around the East End. Drive east on Rte. 450 to mile marker 20, HI, USA.