Gretchen Stuppy Carlson
On the west coast of Hawaii, you will find a string of gorgeous beaches. If you are looking to explore some beaches slightly off the beaten path, consider exploring Mahaiula (Mahaiāula) and Makalawena in Kekaha Kai State Park. These stunning beaches with gorgeous blue water against the dark lava rocks are breath taking and wonderful for swimming, snorkeling and enjoying some beach time.
In this article we’ll share everything you need to know to visit Mahaiula and do the Makalawena Beach Hike to this even more remote and beautiful beach. We spent the first day of our trip to Hawaii exploring these beaches and were blown away by the beauty of this part of Hawaii.
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Quick Overview of the Mahaiula and Makalawena Beach Hike
Below you can see the hiking distances. Note that the road to Mahaiula is very rough and even 4 x 4 vehicles will have difficulty getting down the road. You can also park your car at the start of the road and walk to Mahailula Beach. This does add about 3 miles to the hike and makes the full hike to Makalawena Beach a full 5.7 miles. There are other hiking trails to get to Makalewena but this route is still the easiest.
From Mahaiula Beach Distance: 2.7 miles Elevation Gain: minimal Difficulty: Easy From Route 19 to Mahaiula Beach to Makalawena Distance: 5.7 miles Elevation Gain: 200 feet
If you have a 4×4 car, you can drive to the end of the road near Mahaiula, otherwise park at the start of the road and walk along the road. The road is partly paved with deep pot holes. The walk there is fully exposed to the sun and can be very hot, especially midday.
From Mahaiula, the hike to Makalawena Beach starts from the end of the beach and crosses a lava field. This is an interesting walk and you can often see goats crossing the lava. At the end of the lava field, the path follows just inside from the beach. Make sure to pop up to the top of the bank to get a view of the beach. We saw a Monk seal here up on the beach. The path takes you right to the gorgeous Makalawena Beach. You can see a more complete description of this hike below.
After this stretch, the trail becomes sandy and goes through some vegetation along a sand bank. There are several small trails to the top of the sand back where you can get views of the beach. This is where we saw the long female monk seal with a local volunteer making sure that no one bothered the seal. She was a wealth of information and we learned there are only 9 monk seals on the island of Hawaii.
The trail ends right at the beach and you can walk down to the water or get a little shade under some trees. After you finish enjoying the views, turn around and hike back the way you came.
Tips for Visiting Mahaiula and Makalawena Hawaii
- Wear closed toed shoes: the hike across to Makalawena is over very sharp rocks. You should definitely plan to wear close toed shoes.
- Limited shade: There is very little shade on this hike and at both beaches. Wear and hat, bring sunscreen and make sure you have plenty of water
- Visit early: You will have the best experience if you visit these beaches early. This way you get here before the crowds and before it gets too hot.
- Use caution: Use caution in the waves as there are strong currents and sharp rocks in the area
- Respect the island: Please respect the area and follow all signs. If you see turtles or Monk Seals, please don’t approach them.
Map of Mahaiula and Makalawena Beach Hike
The map below show that hiking route to Mahaiula and Makalawena Beaches. The red line shows the walk in on the road and the yellow is the actual hiking route.
Overview of Kekaha Kai State Park
Kekaha Kai State Park, formerly known as Kona Coast State Park, is a gorgeous coastal park. The park covers 1,600 acres and is best known for the beaches. crystal-clear waters, lava rock formations, and diverse marine life.
Beaches: The park is home to three beautiful beachesāMahaiŹ»ula Beach, Makalawena Beach, and Kua Bay (ManiniŹ»owali Beach). These beaches are great for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, picnicking, and beachcombing.
Parking and Restrooms: Kekaha Kai State Park phas some basic facilities at MahaiŹ»ula Beach though availability can vary depending on the season and time of day. Restrooms and outdoor showers are available near the parking areas, allowing visitors to rinse off after enjoying the beach.
Picnic Areas: The park features shaded picnic areas with picnic tables and grills, providing a perfect spot to enjoy a meal or relax in the shade. T
Hiking Trails: Kekaha Kai State Park offers several hiking trails. The Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail passes through the park and the Makalawena Beach hike is a wonderful trail between the beaches.
Wildlife and Nature: Kekaha Kai State Park is home to a variety of native plant species and wildlife, including seabirds, honu (green sea turtles), and occasionally spinner dolphins. It is also a popular destination for Monk Seals. We saw two Monk seals during our visit, a young seal playing in the waves and an older female sunning itself on the beach.
See more details on this state park on the Hawaii State Park website.
Mahaiula Beach
This stunning beach is directly next to the parking lot. The beach is tucked into a small bay and is pure white sand. It’s possible to swim when the waves are small although there are rocks in the water, so use caution. You can also snorkel in the bay and when we visited, the best spot to snorkel at Mahaiula Beach is to the right along the shoreline. We spent about 30 minutes snorkeling and were surprised with the amount of marine life.
How to get to Mahaiula Beach
As described above, the best way to get to Mahaiula Beach is to drive a 4×4 vehicle. If your car can’t make the drive (we were in a small car), you will need to park at the start of the road and walk. We watched several cars bottom out and even one get stuck along this road.
The entrance road to Mahaiula Beach is in western Hawaii just north of the airport.
Makalawena Beach
This is a truly stunning beach with white sand, dark rocky lava outcrops and lush vegetation along the shoreline. Depending on the waves, you can swim here and there is the possibility to snorkel. The water color is really amazing. We hiked here and spent about 30 minutes enjoying the beach before heading back. During that time there were only a few other people on the beach.
Makalewena Beach Hike
The hike starts at the trail right off the backside of Mahaiula Beach. The path winds along the back of the beach and passes an old building before entering a small clump of palm trees. Shortly the trail goes up into a lava field. This part of the hike is interesting but hot.
The rocks are very sharp along this part of the hike and there is no shade. This is best hiked early in the day. We saw several goats hanging out in the lava.
Things to Know about Mahaiula and Makalawena Beach Hike
Best Time of Year to Visit Mahaiula and Makalawena Beach
You can visit Mahaiula and Makalawena Beach at any time of year as the weather in Hawaii are consistent throughout the year. Temperatures are generally comfortable.
How Long do you Need to Visit Mahaiula and Makalawena Hawaii
You should plan at least 3 hours if you to visit Mahaiula and Makalawena, especially if you will be walking to Mahaiula down the road. If you have more time, you should plan to enjoy the beaches for 4-5 hours. The best way to enjoy the area is to bring a picnic.
Top Questions for Visiting Mahaiula and the Makalawena Beach Hike
How do I access Mahaiula and Makalawena Beach?
Both beaches are accessible via a moderate walk from the parking area in Kekaha Kai State Park, located on the Big Island’s west coast. The hike takes you through diverse terrain, including sandy paths and lava rock formations.
Are there facilities available at Mahaiula and Makalawena Beach?
While there are restrooms and outdoor showers available near the parking areas, there are no other facilities such as food stands or rental services at the beaches themselves. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own supplies, including food, water, and beach equipment.
