Hukilau Beach in Laie, Oahu, Hawaii | Hawaiian Beach Rentals

Malaekahana State Beach and Recreation Area

Laie, Oahu

One of the most beautiful spots on Oahu's northeastern coast, Malaekahana State Recreation Area covers 37 acres of secluded beach and forest and is a popular camping destination.

AT A GLANCE:
HIGHLIGHTS: Malaekahana offers a variety of camping options, from tent sites to yurts, cabins, and grass shacks. It has a very remote feel and is less crowded and more spacious than some of the other beach parks that offer camping.

ACTIVITIES: Camping, swimming, surfing, picnics, body boarding, fishing, snorkeling

LIFEGUARD: NO

WARNINGS!: There is no lifeguard here. Currents can sometimes be strong, and there is shallow reef in some sections of the beach. If you choose to walk out to Goat Island (possible at low tide), be sure to wear water shoes and keep in mind that the tide can change swiftly. It is best to paddle out, rather than walk.

AMENITIES: Restrooms, showers, camping (tent camping, grass shacks, yurts, fully-furnished cabins, eco-cabins, eco-duplexes, and group camping options), picnic tables, fire pits, BBQ areas, 24-hour on site security

This spacious, wooded park and beach is located just north of Laie and the Polynesian Cultural Center. Most popular for camping, you can also just stop by for the day or a few hours there is no entrance fee. Camping is available from Friday Wednesday (the campgrounds are closed Wednesday-Thursday). Camping reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance. For more information and to make a camping reservation, visit their website at http://www.malaekahana.net/.

The beach offers nice waves year round, without having the extreme surf that most of the north shore beaches get during the winter. There are also calmer areas for swimming. During low tide, you can wade out to Goat Island, which is a bird sanctuary. It is recommended to kayak over or paddle over on a surfboard or SUP, but if you walk be sure to wear water shoes to avoid cutting your feet on the reef and watch for tide changes.

Closest town: Laie

Directions:
Malaekahana State Recreation Area is located directly off of the Kamehameha Highway, mile north of Laie. If you're heading north, it will be on the right after passing through Laie town and the Polynesisan Cultural Center. There is a large entrance sign.

Laie Beach Park aka Pounders Beach

Laie, Oahu

White-sand, turquoise water, ample shade, year-round waves, and a picturesque setting make this beach a favorite with locals and visitors alike. Laie Beach Park is commonly known as Pounders Beach because of the pounding shorebreak found here during most times of the year.

AT A GLANCE:

HIGHLIGHTS: Year-round surf, calm areas for swimming, cliffs for fishing, open grassy space for ball games, and plenty of shade and picnic tables make this a perfect beach destination for any occasion.

ACTIVITIES: Bodyboarding, surfing, sunning, picnics, fishing, swimming

LIFEGUARD: NO

WARNINGS!: The shorebreak can be very strong all year, and the water is particularly dangerous during the winter months when the surf is highest. There is no lifeguard here, so use caution when entering the water. If you plan to swim, it is best to stay to the left side.

AMENITIES: Shower, picnic tables, parking

The best section of the beach for swimming is the left end, where it can be a little calmer. If you walk around the corner on that left end, you'll find an area that is protected from incoming waves by a large coral reef. This makes the water very calm, and it's known by locals as "bathtub beach" and is great for small children.

The cliff at the right end is called Pali Kiloi'a, meaning "fish-spotter cliff." It's a popular spot with locals for shoreline fishing.

Laie Beach Park is about an hour drive from Honolulu, but it offers a great escape from the more crowded and noisy town beaches and there is plenty else to see while you are there. Laie is famous for the Polynesian Cultural Center, which draws a huge number of visitors every year. There are several great restaurants and shops in Laie, as well. There is a very large Church of the Latter Day Saints community in Laie, so keep in mind that most places will be closed on Sundays.

Closest town: Laie

Directions: 55-201 Kamehameha Highway, Laie, HI 96762

Laie Beach Park is located in Laie, along the Kamehameha Highway. Heading north, it will be on the right just before you enter the main part of Laie town.

Laie Point State Wayside

Laie, Oahu

Offering epic views, good fishing, and great photographic opportunities, Laie Point is a must-see along Oahu's northeastern coast. It is located a bit off the main road, so often missed unless you know to look for it.

AT A GLANCE:
HIGHLIGHTS: The most photographed spot here is the puka (hole) in the rocky island to the left. Since the land here comes to a point, it provides amazing views of this part of the island's rugged coastline. The narrow section jutting out from the center is a popular fishing spot. Depending on the day, you may see locals jumping from the cliffs to the right.

ACTIVITIES: Fishing, photographing, cliff jumping

LIFEGUARD: NO

WARNINGS!: Some of the rocky areas are extremely sharp. It is a popular cliff jumping location, but the currents are very strong and it can be difficult to tell where the rocks are underwater as it's not clear, so use extreme caution if you decide to jump.

AMENITIES: Parking

Featuring beautiful views of cliffs and the coastline on both sides, Laie Point is also a historic spot in Hawaiian history. A plaque mounted on a large boulder to the right side of the park gives the following account of the legendary history of this spot:

"Laniloa is the name given to a point of land which extends into the ocean from La'ie. In ancient times this point was mo'o, standing upright, ready to kill the passerby. After Kana and his brother had rescued their mother from Molokai and had taken her back to Hawaii, Kana set out on a journey around the islands to kill all the mo'o. In due time he reached La'ie, where the mo'o was killing many people. Kana had no difficulty in destroying this monster. Taking its head, he cut it into five pieces and threw them into the sea, where they can be seen today as the five small islands lying off Malaekahana."

If you look along the coastline along the point, you can see the five islands mentioned in the story. They are: Kihewamoku, Moku'auia, Pulemoku, Kukuiho'olua, and Mokualai.

Closest town: Laie

Directions: Naupaka St., Laie, HI 96762
Laie Point is located behind a neighborhood off of Kamehameha Highway. When you enter Laie (heading north), turn right on Anemoku Street, then right onto Naupaka Street. Laie Point is all the way at the end of Naupaka Street. You can pull off and park along the side of the road.

Hukilau Beach

Description

Hukilau Beach

Malaekahana State Beach and Recreation Area

Laie Beach Park aka Pounders Beach

Laie Point State Wayside

Hukilau Beach