A city park of about 153 acres at the northern point of Kāneʻohe Bay, set within a culturally significant ahupuaʻa. It faces Mokoliʻi (“little lizard”), the small cone-shaped island often called Chinaman’s Hat. This is the public beach park, separate from the private Kualoa Ranch nature reserve next door.
Why we love it
Wide lawns, a long sandy shore and the Kualoa ridges behind you make it the best free picnic stop on the windward drive.
What to expect
Pull into the long lot off Kamehameha Highway and you are steps from grass, ironwood shade and a narrow sand beach looking straight at Mokoliʻi. The water inside the reef is shallow, which suits wading and a calm swim, though trade winds can make it choppy. There are restrooms, outdoor showers, picnic tables and grills. Two campgrounds hold 21 sites, and Campground A closes every summer for city programs. Give it an hour for lunch and photos, more if you swim. It pairs well with a Kualoa Ranch tour or the drive to Lāʻie.
Know before you go
- Not the ranch
- Kualoa Regional Park is run by the City and County of Honolulu. Kualoa Ranch’s movie-set and valley tours are a separate private business next door.
- Camping
- The park has 21 campsites in two campgrounds with three- and five-day permits from the city. Campground A closes each summer for parks programs.
- Facilities
- Restrooms, showers, picnic tables and barbecue areas. The city offers beach wheelchairs and mats here.
- Ocean safety
- Gohawaii.com lists a lifeguard here. Check hioceansafety.com for wind and surf reports before swimming.
- Contact
- Park staff: (808) 768-8974. City parks generally close overnight, so check posted gate hours.
Photo: Aaron Zhu via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
