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Ho'okena Beach Park

Ho'okena Beach Park, Big Island

Ho'okena Beach Park, located on the Big Island's west shore, was once an important inter-island steamship landing site. In the early 1880s, Ho'okena grew into a busy trading village. It had a wharf, a school, courthouse and even a jail. Eventually, cars and trucks replaced steamers and by the mid-1930s, storms and high surf had destroyed the landing at Ho'okena and most villagers moved away from the shoreline and closer to the highway further inland.

Ho'okena Beach is located at the northern end of Kauhako Bay, which is bordered by sea cliffs. The beach itself has fine, black detrital sand mixed with white sand, giving it a gray color. The shoreline is rocky, but there are a few sandy entry and exit points to get in and out of the water. The waters are generally calm here, but strong currents can occur during times of high surf.

On the shore, there are a number of trails that lead to tree groves, boulder formations and other interesting features. The area is a good spot for a picnic since there is a small coconut grove and a number of trees that provide shade.

Ho'okena Beach Park Overview

Former steamer landing site
Beach has gray sand and rocks
Good spot for picnics

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Reviews and Comments:


This place sad to say..is not what it once was...the quietude and beauty of this place is now forever gone..and it is full of criminals and meth amphetamine addics..whateve u do..don't waste the time going here.
Walter whittenstein, Fri Jul 25, 2014


My wife and I had a great time at this Beach. Camped the night. locals were cool but not threatening. One bad thing, the camp ground seemed to have a dozen or so long term permanate campers that were alternately rude and moochy. There was also a pudgy drunk guy who walked around in ratty underwear and raved how much he loved his mandalin late into the evening.
Dan, Wed Mar 06, 2013


This beach is beautiful! Quiet, not too crowded, interesting shoreline, and the grey sand is cool. Water looked calm (we didn't go in). Camping available too. FYI: Ho'okena Beach Road is narrow and winding; remember to not take your half out of the middle because of the blind turns.
Wendy, Fri Nov 30, 2012


I'm a "local", and love this beach! It's small, compared to the huge man-made beaches up north by the resorts, but it's very friendly to visitors!, great for boogie boarding and body surfing, average for snorkelling, and sometimes, the swimmer dolphins come into the bay to feed and rest in the morning! Great restroom and shower facilities and a new concessionnaire rents snorkel gear and kayaks.
auntie Barb, Wed Mar 28, 2012