Kahala Beach

Located in the southeastern part of Oahu, Kahala Beach - also called Kāhala Beach - is a long and narrow beach with light brown sand, a considerably large number of black rocks, and many nearby palm trees and bushes.  This beach is situated near a group of oceanfront residential houses.  A portion of this beach is also called Mother’s Beach.  It is important to note that Kahala Beach is not to be confused with another separate beach named Wai’alae Beach Park  is located near a hotel which has a similar name as Kahala Beach (this hotel is calledThe Kahala Hotel & Resort). 

Kahala Beach does not have lifeguards or any other amenities, so please plan accordingly.  Dogs on leash are allowed in Kahala Beach. 

Kahala Beach offers many fun activities including sunbathing, beachcombing, fishing, wildlife watching, hiking, picnicking, swimming, snorkeling, surfing, paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, and boating.  The water near Kahala Beach mostly has gentle waves, making it ideal for beginner swimmers - a portion of the water near Kahala Beach is ideal for beginner swimmers because it is particularly calm and shallow.  You can easily reach this calm and shallow water by walking through the beach entrance which is near Kahala Avenue’s intersection with Koloa Street. 

If you are planning to swim or snorkel near Kahala Beach, we recommend being careful because the water here is known to have unpredictable rip currents and dangerous waves - drowning-related deaths have also been reported near the beach.  In addition, the water here also has a mostly-rocky bottom, which makes water activities difficult here.  Depending on the time of the year, you can see many kinds of animals near Kahala Beach including sea turtles, migrating whales between December and May, and rare Hawaiian monk seals.  It is important to note that sea turtles and Hawaiian monk seals are protected under a law named the  Endangered Species Act of 1973, and harming them can result in a fine of up to $50,000 and possible imprisonment.  Kahala Beach is ideal for visitors looking for a quiet beach session because this beach sees fewer visitors than other Oahu beaches, especially on weekdays.  If you are planning to fish near Kahala Beach, please ensure compliance with the local fishing regulations which can be found on the website of theDivision of Aquatic Resources(which is a part of the State of Hawaii’sDepartment of Land and Natural Resources).  If you like taking pictures and beautiful views, Kahala Beach offers amazing Instagram-worthy views of the southeastern Oahu shoreline, the Pacific Ocean, and a nearby tuff cone named Diamond Head

Getting to Kahala Beach is easy - the multiple access paths to the beach are located along Kahala Avenue, near its intersections with Elepaio Street, Kala Place, Hunakai Street, and Koloa Street.  It is also important to note that Kahala Beach’s access path near the intersection between Kahala Avenue and Kala Place also has two lion statues near it.  There are free street parking spaces along some of the roads which intersect Kahala Avenue - one of these roads which have street parking spaces is the Kala Place.  It is important to note that the access paths for Kahala Beach near Elepaio Street and Kala Place lead to portions of the beach which are narrow with very little sand.

There are many attractions near Kahala Beach.  Kāhala Community Park is a recreational park that has many amenities including a grassy area, tennis courts, basketball courts, walking paths, picnic areas, restrooms, beaches, baseball fields, and a playground.  Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design has interesting exhibits that offer a unique insight into the global diversity of Islamic culture and art - you can explore the museum’s premises via guided tours.  These tours are held on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.  Dolphin Quest Oahu is a private lagoon that has six dolphins, and it offers fun interaction sessions with these dolphins and offers a unique insight into the lives of these wonderful creatures.  If you are looking for another attraction near Kahala Beach, Diamond Head State Monument is a state-managed area which is set in a volcanic tuff cone named Diamond Head (which is named Lē‘ahi in Hawaiian) that was formed due to volcanic activity around 300,000 years ago - this monument is spread over 475 acres and you can explore this unique geological wonder via the hiking trails present here.  The hike is one and a half miles long, and it will take you approximately two hours to the crater, so come prepared with water.  In addition, this site also has many prominent military installations including a Fire Control Station, which was built in the early 20th century to direct artillery fire from nearby coastal batteries.  Diamond Head State Monument also has a lighthouse and a bunker, and Diamond Head’s summit also offers Instagram-worthy views of the Pacific Ocean and the Oahu shoreline.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Kahala Beach.  Hoku’s At The Kahala is an upscale restaurant that offers a variety of amazing gourmet Hawaiian-inspired dishes.  This restaurant has been awarded a four-diamond rating from the AAA and it has also been awarded Wine Spectator magazine’s Award of Excellence and Honolulu magazine’s Hale ‘Aina Award’s silver prize for the most romantic restaurant in 2019.  Plumeria Beach House is another upscale restaurant that offers an outdoor dining area and has a casual ambiance.  The restaurant also serves excellent dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and it also organizes amazing buffets - this restaurant has been repeatedly awarded the golden award by HONOLULU Magazine’s Hale 'Aina Awards in various categories including “Best Brunch” and “Best Buffet” and it has also been awarded TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice award.  Assaggio Bistro Kahala serves excellent Italian dishes including chicken parmigiana, pastas, Sicilian chicken, and Italian-style seafood.  In addition, it also serves delicious veal dishes, steaks, soups, and salads.  The Counter Kahala is known for serving excellent sandwiches and burgers.  In addition, it also serves delicious chili, salads, and fries.  If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near Kahala Beach, Fort Ruger Market offers excellent Hawaiian and Filipino-style platters.  As another modestly priced option, Saigon’s Vietnamese Restaurant offers excellent Vietnamese dishes including pho, spring rolls, noodle soups, rice platters, and barbecued dishes.

If you are looking for a hotel near Kahala Beach, there are many great nearby options.  If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 5-Star Kahala Hotel & Resort offers many amenities including complimentary surfing and paddleboarding lessons, a  complimentary local shuttle service, bike and beach towel rental facilities, five restaurants, a fitness center, a spa, and a private lagoon that has dolphins.  As another upscale option, the 4-Star Lotus Honolulu at Diamond Head offers many amenities including morning coffee, evening wine tasting sessions, bike loaner facilities, and beach gear loaner facilities, along with a restaurant.  The 3.5-Star Kaimana Beach Hotel is another upscale hotel that offers many amenities including three restaurants, a fitness center (available for a surcharge), multiple stores, and complimentary beach towels.  A more affordable hotel is the 3-StarAston at the Waikiki Banyan which offers many amenities including a cafe, and a picnic area with barbecue facilities.  The hotel also offers many amenities for a resort fee including access to a recreation deck with a pool, two hot tubs, sports courts, a putting green, and a playground.  If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near Kahala Beach, the 2-Star Ewa Hotel Waikiki offers many amenities including a rooftop sundeck, a coin-operated laundry, a terrace, and beach towel loaner facility.