ALOHA!
Mahaiula Beach is part of Kekaha Kai State Park on the Kona coast of the Big Island.
This is one of the best Hawaii state parks on the Big Island.
So the Big Island is basically known as the volcano island of Hawaii.
And there are lots of lava fields all around the island as evidence of past lava flows.
And on the Big Island, you can even see lava fields on your way to the beach… and yes, on your way to Mahaiula Beach!
More below on what to know about going to this beach!
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A visit to Mahaiula Beach means…
Driving on a road that runs through lava fields…
Walking on a trail that goes through lava fields…
And a white sand beach with amazing ocean blue water!
Mahaiula Beach is one of the 3 white sand beaches in Kekaha Kai State Park, along with Kua Bay and Makalawena Beach.
The hardest part about getting to Mahaiula Beach is the drive once you turn off the highway and take the road that will lead you to the coast (and beach!).
It’s not exactly a “difficult” drive, but it can be a bit of a bumpy road so it just requires a little bit of patience as you might be driving really slow at times.
The road to Mahaiula Beach is partly on a dirt road, but tourists do drive this road with regular cars.
This is unlike the drive to Makalawena Beach which is one of the Big Island roads that does require a 4 wheel drive.
What the way to Mahaiula Beach looks like!
Finding the Mahaiula entrance of Kekaha Kai state park
So Kekaha Kai State Park has 3 main beaches:
- Kua Bay
- Makalawena Beach
- Mahaiula Beach
That is from north to south. So Mahaiula Beach is the furthest south.
There are 2 main entrances to the state park, and that’s the “Mahaiula” entrance (for – yes – Mahaiula Beach) and the “Maniniowali” entrance (for Kua Bay – also called Maniniowali Beach).
If you are coming from the south, which would be the side of Kona town and the Kona airport, then you will first come across the Mahaiula entrance.
If you are staying in the Waikoloa/Kohala coast area (the major resort area on the Big Island), then you will be coming from the north, and you’ll pass the first main entrance to the state park.
So once you see the sign for the Mahaiula entrance…
Start your drive down to the Kona coast!
It’ll start off paved, and then it’ll turn into a dirt road. You’ll be driving with lava fields on both sides of the road!
The road to the highway to Kona coast from above
Arrive at the parking lot
Even the parking lot is surrounded by lava fields.
Short trail to Mahaiula Beach
And then right at the parking lot, you will see the trail that leads to the beach.
The trail from the parking lot to the Kona coast from above
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Side note! HAWAII FLIGHT TIP for pictures of the Kona coast from above! I got these aerial photos during my flight from Honolulu to Kona. I sat on the LEFT side of the plane. If you fly Southwest to the Big Island, be sure to see these tips for open seating so you can make sure to increase your chances of getting a window seat!
And then…
You are at Mahaiula Beach!!
I saw turtles swimming at Mahaiula Beach, off to the left side as you’re facing the ocean!
Keep walking to the right side (facing the ocean) and you’ll come across the trail to Makalawena Beach!
And there’s a bit of what you’ll see with a visit to Mahaiula Beach!
And one more thing.
Star gazing at Kekaha Kai State Park
The Big Island is said to be a good place for star gazing because of access to dark surroundings at night.
Kekaha Kai State Park has also been said to be a good spot for setting up for some star gazing.
The state park gates close in the evening, but there’s a spot that you can pull over a little before the gate at the Mahaiula entry where you can park your car and look at the stars.
You might even be able to spot the Milky Way!
Explore more of Kekaha Kai State Park:
- Kua Bay
- Puu Kuili Hike
- Drive to Makalawena Beach with a 4wd
- Hike to Makalawena Beach from Mahaiula Beach
- The best of Kekaha Kai State Park
And see more of the best Hawaii state parks on the Big Island, along with some of the best hikes on the Big Island!
Plus see more spots to see old lava flows on the Big Island!
HAPPY SEEING A WHITE SAND BEACH AT MAHAIULA BEACH! (AND MAYBE SWIMMING WITH TURTLES!)
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