Kekaha Kai State Park
(Mahai'ula beach)

Mahalo to Jochen Diedrich

* Note - this park is closed Wednesdays.
* Long white sandy beach with lots of shade trees; some swimming and snorkeling. Water can be rough and have currents; when in doubt, don't enter.
* Access is by a rough gravel & rock road - typically 4WD is required.
* No lifeguards. Lava rock gravel parking lot. Restrooms (or port-a-pots), picnic tables, no drinking water.
* Lots of wild goats frequent the keawe behind the beach.
* Two sections to the beach - one straight out from the parking lot and one to the right / North. Better swimming is to the North; snorkeling is mediocre.

Mahalo to Jochen Diedrich

The old Magoon house at the North end of the beach.

Mahalo to Jochen Diedrich

Mahalo to Jochen Diedrich

Mahalo to Jochen Diedrich

Mahalo to Jochen Diedrich

Sometimes sea turtles frequent the beach. Please do not touch.

Mahalo to Jochen Diedrich

* At the North end are the ruins of the old Magoon house. Members of the Magoon family were known as prominent business men in the early part of the last century.
* Kekaha Kai used to be known as Kona Coast State Park. Renamed Kekaha Kai State Park, it also also encompasses nearby Kua Bay. This section, which has Mahai'ula beach, is generally known as Kekaha Kai
* The path at the North of the park (just past the Magoon house) leads to nearby Makalawena.
* There are brackish ponds (a/k/a anchialine pools) near the beach. While some people say that you can bathe in these pools, your skin oils, sunscreen, and cosmetics can harm these fragile ecosystems. Please kokua; respect these special ponds.
* Not just a kitschy sign (below), you really do have to watch out for falling coconuts as the trees at this beach don't always get trimmed frequently.

Mahalo to Jochen Diedrich

Directions: Take the highway North from the Kona airport. Turn left at the turnoff approximately 2.6 miles past the airport. The 1.5 mile access road from the highway is gravel and lava rock. You will need a vehicle with ground clearance (typically a 4WD jeep, etc.) to get to the parking lot at Kekaha Kai. People may tell you that you can make it in a car, but be advised you run the risk of losing a muffler. (Note: plans are in the works to improve access here.) Park at the lot and enjoy the beach.

Sign marking the access road (seen coming from the North).

Picture of the access road from the gravel area near the highway,
where some people park and walk to the beach.

View Kekahakai State Park in a larger map

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