Hāpuna Beach

What to expect

A signed park road off Highway 19 leads to the paid lot. Below it, a wide white-sand beach sits in front of a large grassy area with shaded picnic pavilions, and lifeguards watch the water. In summer the sand can be up to about 200 feet wide. The south end slopes more gently, so swimmers tend to settle there. Unlike Kaunaʻoa next door, there’s no gate pass to chase: you pay, park, and walk down. The Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail also passes through Hāpuna, so you can walk the coast to neighboring beaches.

Know before you go

Fees and payment

Non-residents pay $5 per person plus $10 per vehicle. Hawaiʻi residents get in free with ID, and children 3 and under are free. Payment is by credit card only, through QR codes on site.

Parking

On weekends the lot fills fast, and the entry gate closes once it’s full. The park is open 7 a.m.–7:30 p.m., and the gates close at 8 p.m.

Water conditions

Roughly May through October is the calm season. Winter swells bring a strong shore break and currents. DLNR warns that waves over 3 feet are for experts only, and everyone else should stay out of the water and away from the shoreline.

Facilities

There are lifeguards daily (9:30 a.m.–4:45 p.m. per the state ocean-safety site), plus restrooms, cold showers, and picnic tables. The beach concession is temporarily closed, so bring your own food and drinks.

Rules

State park rules prohibit alcohol and drones. Wear sandals on the back-beach grass, where kiawe thorns are common, and on the sand at midday, when it gets extremely hot.