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]
Description
The 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]
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
Haʻena, looking west
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 / 22.22139; -159.56139.[13]
Management
An 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
^ 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 bGutierrez, 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.