Makalawena Beach

Located in the northern portion of the island of Hawai’i (also known as Big Island), Makalawena Beach - also known as Mak Beach - is a scenic yet isolated white sand beach with few nearby trees, a sloping incline, and a few rocky portions. Makalawena Beach is a part of the Kekaha Kai State Park, is a nearly half-mile long, and is situated along the shores of a bay named Puu Alii Bay. The rocky portions in Makalawena Beach are composed of lava rocks - these portions also divide Makalawena Beach into multiple coves. A pond named Opae’ula Pond is also present behind this beach. Makalawena Beach is a favorite of Randall Kaplan, the world’s foremost beach expert who is known as Mr. Beach. Makalawena Beach’s name means "mischievous winds'' in Hawaiian - according to Hawaiian mythology, the wind goddess La'amaomao annoyed other Hawaiian gods through her actions, leading them to cut off La'amaomao’s nose. According to the Native Hawaiians, this detached nose is actually a cinder cone present near Makalawena Beach named Pu’uKu’ili. 

Makalawena Beach does not have lifeguards or any other amenities except a few nearby picnic tables, so plan accordingly. Dogs are not allowed in Makalawena Beach. Getting to Makalawena Beach can get a bit difficult - from Hawaii Route 19 (which is a part of Hawaii Belt Road), you need to turn towards an unmarked rugged road - this road is situated halfway between mile markers 88 and 89. You need to follow this road until you reach a free dirt parking lot, and once you park here, you need to walk south along the shoreline to the northern end of Makalawena Beach. It is important to note that the unnamed road to the dirt parking lot for Makalawena Beach is extremely rugged, and we recommend driving a four-wheeler vehicle in order to access this beach. 

Makalawena Beach offers many fun activities including beachcombing, sunbathing, hiking, wildlife watching, fishing, picnicking, swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, jet-skiing, surf-skiing, boating, scuba diving, surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, bodyboarding, and skimboarding. The water near Makalawena Beach has gentle waves, along with a gradual depth - this makes it ideal for beginner swimmers. The water near the middle and the southern portions of the beach are ideal swimming spots during calm water conditions. The water here also offers fun and consistent surfing waves, especially during winters. Snorkelers and scuba divers also enter the water near Makalawena Beach in order to explore its vibrant biodiversity - depending on the time of the year, you can view any kinds of animals in the water near this beach including migrating whales (between November and March) and many kinds of fish including butterfly fish, tang, and porcupine fish. Visitors can also view Hawaiian Green sea turtles and Hawaiian monk seals on rare occasions in the water near Makalawena Beach – these animals are protected in the United States under the Federal Endangered Species Act 1973 and harming them can result in a fine up to $25,000, along with possible imprisonment.

However, if you are planning to enter the water near Makalawena Beach, we recommend being careful as the water here is known to have unpredictable rip currents and dangerous waves, particularly during winters. In addition, the water near Makalawena Beach has a rocky bottom, which can inflict grievous injuries to visitors. If you are planning to fish in the water near Makalawena State Park, we recommend following the local fishing regulations. This beach is ideal for visitors looking for a quieter beach experience as this beach sees fewer visitors than other Big Island beaches. Makalawena Beach is also used as a visiting spot by clothing-optional visitors. However, if you are planning a clothing-optional visit to Makalawena Beach, we recommend being careful as public indecency is legally punishable by local authorities

As an alternate parking option, there’s a parking lot for the trailhead on a hiking trail called Pu'uKu'ili Trail which is along Hawaii Route 19. Once you park at this parking lot, you can walk on this trail which passes through the hilltop of a hill called Pu'uKu'ili and then eventually merges with the unnamed access road for Makalawena Beach. This access road will eventually lead you to the beach after a long and grueling walk. If you are looking for an easier access option, you can turn from Hawaii Route 19 towards another unnamed access road for another separate beach named Mahai'ula Beach - the access road for Mahai'ula Beach is present between mile markers 90 and 91. You can park your car at the parking lot at the end of this access road. Once you park at this parking lot, you need to walk approximately a mile east along a trail to reach Makalawena Beach. Kekaha Kai State Park is open between 9 am and 7 pm.

There are many attractions near Makalawena Beach within a 30-minute drive. The Vanillerie is a vanilla farm which offers interesting tours of its premises - these tours offer a unique insight into the process of vanilla cultivation and processing. This farm also has a store that sells vanilla infused artisanal food and body products. Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park is a national park that encompasses four different ahupuaʻa (traditional Hawaiian land divisions) - the park has many historical sites and landmarks including heiau (traditional Hawaiian temples), kiipohaku (petroglyph carvings made by ancient Hawaiians), and two artificial ponds created by ancient Hawaiians for aquaculture. You can view many kinds of animals around this waterfront national park including Hawaiian green sea turtles, rare Hawaiian monk seals, and many kinds of native bird species and you can also see many native plant species here. Kailua Pier is a pier that offers amazing views of the Pacific Ocean and the southern Big Island shoreline, especially during sunsets - the water around the pier also offers many fun activities including scuba diving, snorkeling, boating, swimming, fishing, and paddleboarding. The pier and the area around it also host many fun events including the Kona IRONMAN World Championships and the Kona International Billfish Tournament. A historic site named Kamakahonu National Historic Landmark is also present near the pier - this landmark is chiefly known as the site of the former home of the Hawaiian king Kamehameha the Great.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Makalawena Beach within a 30-minute drive. Huggo’s offers amazing seafood (infused with Hawaiian culinary influences), pastas, salads, steaks, and pupu platters. This restaurant has also been praised by many publications including the Los Angeles Times newspaper and the Coastal Living magazine.  Sakura offers amazing Japanese dishes including sushi, sashimi, and bento boxes. Harbor House Restaurant offers outstanding pupu platters, salads, soups, seafood, poultry dishes, burgers, hot dogs, and sandwiches. The restaurant’s burgers have also been awarded the Best of West Hawaii award by the West Hawaii Today newspaper in 2008. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near Makalawena Beach, Patricio’s Taqueria serves amazing Mexican dishes including tostadas, tacos, and quesadillas.

If you are looking for a hotel near Makalawena Beach, there are many great nearby options within a 30-minute drive. The 5-Star Four Seasons Resort Hualalai offers many amenities including an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, a fitness center, a spa, seven pools, three restaurants, and two bars. As another upscale hotel, the 4-Star Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa offers many amenities including a spa (that offers treatments for a fee), a fitness center, a hot tub, a pool, a coffee shop, and multiple restaurants. A more affordable hotel is the 3.5-Star Kings Land by Hilton Grand Vacations Cluboffers many amenities including five pools (including ones with waterfalls and waterslides), a cafe, a lounge, a bar, a fitness room, arcade games, a table tennis facility, weekly hula performances, kids’ activities, a gift shop, and a convenience store. If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near Makalawena Beach, the 2-Star Kona Islander Inn Hotel offers many amenities including a pool, a hot tub, lush tropical gardens, barbecue area, and laundry facilities.