Hāʻena State Park is a state park on the north shore of the Hawaiian island of Kauaʻi. It is often called the "end of the road" and marks the endpoint of the Kuhio Highway.[2] The park provides access to beaches, trails, and several ancient Hawaiian sites, including sea caves estimated to be more than 4,000 years old. Archaeological sites associated with the hula, including a heiau (shrine) dedicated to Laka, are above the park's beaches.[3]
| Hāʻena State Park | |
|---|---|
 Keʻe Beach from the Kalalau Trail | |
   | |
| Location | Hawaii, U.S. |
| Nearest city | Hanalei, Hawaii |
| Coordinates | 22°13′15″N 159°34′42″W / 22.22083°N 159.57833°W[1] |
| Area | 230 acres (93 ha) |
| Governing body | Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources |
| www | |
Description
editThe beach has a relatively safe lagoon, but very strong currents have been reported at the bay, especially in the winter. Amenities at the park include pay phones, picnic tables, restrooms and outdoor showers.[1]
Limahuli Stream enters the ocean at the park's eastern edge. South of the park, Makana mountain soars above Limahuli Garden and Preserve in the valley.[4] Just before the Kēʻē beach is the Kalalau Trail trailhead, an 11-mile (18 km) footpath that is the only land access to Nā Pali Coast State Park. The area surrounding the beaches is vegetated by ironwood trees, coconut palms, ti, and guava.
A little over an hour's drive from Lihue and 5 miles (8.0 km) west of Hanalei, Hawaii, the 230-acre park (93 ha) is at the terminus of the Kuhio Highway (Hawaii Route 560).[5] A parking reservation with an entry fee is required. The daily limit is 900 people.[6]
Beaches
edit
- Kēʻē Beach is at the park's western edge.[7] This beach is west of Tunnels Beach (aka "Makua Beach" at Haena Point),[8] which refers to the large waves that are thought to be ideal for surfing.[9] Kēʻē Beach has a unique reef lagoon that makes the water calm and attractive for snorkeling and swimming.[10] Beyond the reef, very strong currents, especially in the winter, have been reported. In Hawaiian, Kēʻē means "avoidance", referring to stories in Hawaiian mythology about the goddess Pele and Lohiʻau.[11]
- Hāʻena Beach is just east of Haʻena State Park. Haena is Hawaiian for "red hot".[12] The beach is located at 22°13′17″N 159°33′41″W / 22.22139°N 159.56139°W.[13]
Management
editAn extended closure of the park due to the 2018 flood damage to highways and bridges along Kuhio Highway provided an opportunity to negotiate a parking and concession agreement with a local non-profit.[14] The park is being used as a destination management example for state parks that are environmentally, culturally or historically unique.[6][15]
References
edit- ^ a b "Hā'ena State Park". Hawaii State Parks web site. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
- ^ Luci Yamamoto (2006). Kaua'i. Lonely Planet. p. 154. ISBN 978-1-74059-096-9.
- ^ John R. K. Clark (2004). "lookup of Kēʻē ". in Hawai'i Place Names: Shores, Beaches, and Surf Sites. Ulukau, the Hawaiian Electronic Library, University of Hawaii Press. Retrieved October 13, 2010.
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Limahuli Stream
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Hāʻena State Park Retrieved October 13, 2010.
- ^ a b Gutierrez, Ben (June 9, 2023). "Hawaii park that limits visitors seen as example of new 'destination management' approach". Hawaii News Now. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Kē‘ē Beach Retrieved October 13, 2010.
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Tunnels Beach
- ^ John R. K. Clark (2004). "lookup of Tunnels ". in Hawai'i Place Names: Shores, Beaches, and Surf Sites. Ulukau, the Hawaiian Electronic Library, University of Hawaii Press. Retrieved October 13, 2010.
- ^ Kauai County Visitors Bureau
- ^ Mary Kawena Pukui; Samuel Hoyt Elbert; Esther T. Mookini (2004). "lookup of Kēʻē ". in Place Names of Hawai'i. Ulukau, the Hawaiian Electronic Library, University of Hawaii Press. Retrieved October 13, 2010.
- ^ Pukui, Mary Kawena. Place Names of Hawaii. University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 0-8248-0524-0.
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Hā‘ena Retrieved October 13, 2010.
- ^ Jessica Else (September 13, 2018). "Kalalau Trail closure redirects visitors elsewhere on Kauai". The Garden Island. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
- ^ Hawaii (June 16, 2023). "More Kauai Beaches May Soon Restrict Visitor Access". Beat of Hawaii. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
External links
edit- Save Our Seas -Haena.org
- "Keʻe Beach A.K.A. Ha'ena State Park, End-of-the-Road". Kauaʻi explorer web site. Kauaʻi Visitors Bureau. Retrieved October 13, 2010.