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    Makapuu Beach Park

    4.8 (31 reviews)

    Makapuu Beach Park Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Makapuu Beach Park

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    Craig Y.

    Located off Kalanianaole Hwy, Waimanalo. This is the spot where most people stop for a pic of Rabbit Island. Overall a great place and spot to get pictures of Rabbit Island.

    Brian M.

    So we've been looking down at this beach for years now from the Lighthouse Trail and finally went today. Wow the water is beautiful!!! The waves were a bit rough today but their was an area where there was a small tide pool that allowed kids the safety to just splash and have a good time. Plenty of sun to tan or some shade in the afternoon by the tree-line for those not looking to burn. Parking is limited in the parking lot so some park along the road and hike down. There is a lifeguard that is on duty and will post signage. Just keep an eye out for when they leave so you know that you are swimming at your own risk.

    Jillian S.

    Beautiful view and a secluded beach! Unfortunately we chose a chilly, rainy day to drive around Oahu. By the time we reached Makapu'u beach, we were not up for swimming. The beach is easy to access and parking is available. We would have stayed longer if it was a nicer day. Nonetheless, we enjoyed our short stop and loved the views!

    CJ L.

    This beach is best for experience body boarding. My family came here numerous time on our visit to Oahu. We love body boarding back home and we love it more in Hawaii. Waves are huge so be careful if your a beginner. Waves are big and strong. Can't beat the view either. Walking down to the area isn't bad, recommend to wear shoes because there are a small rocks. It's also great to just tan and chill. Love it here.

    Side view from Makapuu lighthouse edge
    Mel Y.

    The view is absolutely beautiful!!! One can climb the trail, go to the beach, or enjoy the view from the scenic lookout point above the beach.

    Paul L.

    It was here that I could feel how important surfing is to the local culture. Like watching kids run on to a baseball field, I sat on the beach and saw young ones eagerly run into the ocean toward the magnetically crashing waves. If I had attempted to do the same, these waters would have crushed and carried me away never to be seen again. However, under the watchful eyes of adults standing on the shore, I was amazed at how children joyfully took to the turbulence like it was nature's playground equipment.

    Clear waters, perfect tide pools - no waves for the babies!
    Ang S.

    Drive a little north west from Makapuu Beach Park, (right across from sea life park Hawaii), and make a right to park into a little parking space to get to "Baby Makapuu Tide Pools." Park your car (be sure to leave before the posted times, so you're not trapped in the parking lot when they close, which is usually at sunset). This place is perfect to take your babies because the tide pools are super nice for them to swim and play in! No waves because the rocks break them before getting to the tide pools, especially during low tide. There's a water hose to wash your kiddos too after fun beach play. You'll take some beyond beautiful pictures of your kids in these tide pools with a gorgeous backdrop of Rabbit island. Bring some towels, change of clothes, beach blanket, umbrella/tent, snacks/drinks, sand toys, fish nets for toddlers, floaties for the babies, sunblock... and you're set for the perfect beach day getaway!

    This place is for sure the spot to go if you don't want to deal with all the overcrowded beaches. This is more of a locals spot which is exactly what we wanted. It's so beautiful and peaceful and the water is stunningly blue! If you're in Waikiki and need to get away from all the tourists this is the spot. I wish I was staying longer because I'd for sure come here again!!

    Enjoying the surf from a safe shady distance
    Sherri H.

    This beach was absolutely gorgeous! We stopped in after completing the Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail. We changed into our swim suits in the restrooms (most didn't have TP or working latches on the doors in the ladies bathroom). The day we went there was an extremely heavy surf and the red flags were out due to dangerous riptides. We set up our beach chairs and sand umbrella and the lifeguard came over to talk to us to ask if we were planning on going into the water. He recommended not going in over your mid calf area. We mostly just enjoyed the view and dipping our toes in briefly. We did enjoy watching some experienced young men boogie boarding!

    Skyler B.

    I am always looking for cool places for photos and found this neat little spot quick run down: Pros: Lots of parking spaces Nice views of ocean and photos Lots of paved areas for walking and taking photos Some weird and cool little structures that you don't see almost if the time The bathrooms had showers and changing areas Cons: Bathrooms had no toilet paper, a broken door, and no working latches

    Joe C.

    I always whiz past this beach so I decided to intentionally just go here last week. It's easy to miss coming down the cliffy road with traffic just before the sea life park. It's just breathtakingly gorgeous. Lush green grounds, Cliffs of Makapuu lighthouse in one direction, Majestic Koolau behind you, Rabbit Island and an awesome shorebreak in front of you and the Turquoise waters of Waimanalo extending north. Pretty in every direction. Strong Waves and currents though. I wouldn't bring little children to wade in the water. The life guard was announcing warning every 15 minutes. Parking is very limited and tight which is good cause it keeps the crowds down. There a dirt lots which I would say is only good with a SUV. Shower and Bathroom facilities on site. Lots of Body Surfing on the left side, most of the swimmers stayed on the center right of the beach as per direction of the lifeguard.

    Sunrise 4.6.19
    Dave F.

    We are so blessed to be living on an island in the middle of the Pacific that has so many beautiful beaches! Besides being a beautiful beach, Makapu'u has a lighthouse that is still operational to this day. Construction began in the late 1800's and was completed around 1910. It is located on the Southeastern tip of Oahu and in its day during the time of steamships and schooners, guided ships away from this rugged coastline on their way to Honolulu Harbor. There is a popular hiking trail that is located before the beach park. There can be many faces to Makapu'u beach, depending on the currents, surf and tides, sand can shift away from the beach leaving a jagged landscape that is not usually seen. So for us folks who have seen this, we all know what lurks just under that beautiful white sand beach. This area is also very popular with body surfers as well, waves can be treacherous and large with strong rip currents moving out to sea. During these times, it's best left to the pros. Enjoy the beach and it's beauty, but always be aware of your surroundings and the ocean. *RESPECT THE CULTURE AND THE LAND* Five Stars * * * * *

    Manny R.

    One of the most breathtaking beaches I've ever seen. When you come around the mountain on the freeway the beach looks surreal. Huge lush green mountains overlook and turquoise blue waters on your right. The cove has some of the strongest waves I've felt on the island. The water was warm and I had a blast swimming in the waves. It's simply one of the most beautiful beaches I've ever seen. P.s. If you aren't a confident ocean swimmer approach the waters cautiously. The currents are VERY strong!

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    10 years ago

    They added a new playground area! a little bit dangerous for toddlers though...more for older kids but nice.

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    Ask the Community - Makapuu Beach Park

    Are there swings for younger kids? Looking for a playground for my 9month old

    No swings here, unfortunately. My two year old loves it, but might be pushing it for a 9 month old.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Makapuu Beach Park

    My last stop to the Makapu'u area of Oahu on the east side of Oahu is here at the Makapu'u Beach Park.

    Mentioned in 9 reviews

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    Kalama Valley Community Park - No sink for the women's bathroom

    Kalama Valley Community Park

    4.3(4 reviews)
    1.2 mi

    Hidden in the shadows of Kalama Valley and the residential neighborhood surrounding this patch of…read moreland sits Kalama Valley neighborhood park. I've come to know about this place ever since I came to this side of Hawaii Kai just for fun. Community parks are the lifeblood of any residential neighborhood and apart in the greater community for anyone and everyone to enjoy the outside. It's a great place to socialize and meet up with friends and family. There is a restroom facility here, as well as an easy way in and out of the area via private car, Uber, and even public transportation! Yes, TheBus comes through the area and has a couple of stops near the park itself. For the most part though, my experience here at Kalama Valley was casual and brisk. I would stay here for maybe 3-4 hours at a time before heading back into town. Most times that I was here, it was sunny and there was virtually no rain at all. I do enjoy the quiet and casual nature of nature and neighborhood park, but it is nice to see people, families with kids, and passerby use the park when I was there on multiple occasions. Kalama Valley neighborhood park is maintained by the good folks at the City and County of Honolulu. The park has a couple of picnic benches to sit and have lunch - or just to hang out. There is also gym equipment for the kids and kids at heart to play with. The overall experience here at Kalama Valley neighborhood park was refreshing, awesome and therapeutic for the soul. The area is sort of far away from anywhere you could imagine, but it is a place where you can just be yourself and do whatever you want within reason. Nothing illegal here. For myself though, I ended up basically people watching, surf the web a little bit, and started a bunch of reviews on my Notes app on iOS. I tend to be one of those people who like to multitask while here at the park, so in the end I'd like to draft reviews before finishing them up at a later time before posting them on Yelp. Sometimes during my visit us here in Kalama Valley regional Park, it would rain but that did not bother me - most of the time though, It just was windy or hot and sunny. It is Hawaii though. It might be better to bring some sunscreen with you or put it on before you come here. It was nice actually to just be out here in the elements. Much like being at the beach but less crowded and without the ocean. I just like the quiet Piece that comes with the neighborhood park at off peak hours during the weekend. You might want to pack a lunch to bring or have eaten prior to coming here. The restrooms are somewhat adequate, but equally disgusting and definitely ideal. You would want to before you come here. Is not really satisfactory, in my mind but it is what it is. Kalama valley regional park is located in the quiet residential neighborhood of Hawaii Kai, tucked away in Kalama valley. It's zip code is 96825. Since it is a regional community park, there is no admission fee required for coming here and the parking is wherever you can find it. The park itself is somewhat large and can be considered to be someone's backyard, if you wanted it to be. I did enjoy myself here people watching while drafting reviews for yelp. It beats sitting at a public library, although the air conditioning there can be a hit or miss sometimes. For you people who are like me, public transportation is available to get to and from the park / area. Take route 23 from the bus stop opposite Kahala mall on Kīlauea Avenue. The ride takes about 20-30 minutes on the bus, but it can be a soothing one. Kalama valley regional park is one of those open spaces that you can just spend an entire day to enjoy life and the outdoors. While it isn't trails or hiking, it's a place to meet people and to enjoy life as it was meant to be. Come on over. 5.0 stars for the overall experience. Support local! A+

    Great community park with lots of space to run around! Basketball courts and play ground. Bathrooms…read moreavailable but not recommended to use them... ample parking. Beautiful neighborhood.

    Photos
    Kalama Valley Community Park - Playground and bathroom

    Playground and bathroom

    Kalama Valley Community Park
    Kalama Valley Community Park

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    Kaiona Beach Park - Overcast rainy skies, but the ocean still smiles, as the sky cries.

    Kaiona Beach Park

    4.5(52 reviews)
    1.7 mi

    Christmas Day, my son visiting from the mainland and he is looking for some beach time at Kailua…read moreBeach Park! However, there is not a parking spot to be found at ou town's most popular beach attraction; Kailua Beach Park! On to the local hang out near the Friendly Sherwood Forest. Plenty of parking, a nice walkway to outdoor showers & a rest room area to change & use the facilities. Plenty of shade near the ocean and the sandy beach makes that toes in the sand feel all so very real! Waves are coming in big today so a little boogie boarding is in order! Word to the wise, no life guards in this particular spot today, so buddying up, is the only safe way! Lots of local folks grilling, chilling and having fun with da two & four legged kids! A great get away with the comforts of all our State taxes provide! Living the Aloha!

    This is my favorite beach in the island. I love it for its tranquil waters and the fact that…read morethere's small parking right next to it. Theres even stairs to go up when you're already in the water so you can hose your feet down. I would feel confident swimming here. This is quite far from where I live, but it's worth the scenic drive for me. Just a few minutes away is the scenic view of Makapu'u Lookout. 12 minutes away is Kailua beach which is my other favorite beach for its soft white sands and accessibility to parking. I would recommend this beach over all the other beaches in the island.

    Photos
    Kaiona Beach Park - My husband lounging with a beer

    My husband lounging with a beer

    Kaiona Beach Park - Gorgeous long stretch of beach without all the tourists

    Gorgeous long stretch of beach without all the tourists

    Kaiona Beach Park - Grey skies can't stop that YELPTASTIC feeling of achieving that special toes in the sand believing!

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    Grey skies can't stop that YELPTASTIC feeling of achieving that special toes in the sand believing!

    Hahaione Valley Neighborhood Park

    Hahaione Valley Neighborhood Park

    5.0(2 reviews)
    3.2 miHawaii Kai

    I've been on a park hunt ever since I discovered that my daughter loves the park. We have a park…read moreright down the street from us but it really just the standard playground equipment. So I've been trying to find parks with different types of equipment. I'm like a park stalker, haha. While driving, I'd look out at parks and check out the equipment at the parks. I've seen quite a few ones but then I look at the reviews on Yelp and it turns me away. Reviews say that there's a lot of homeless or theft there. But today I discovered a website that's shows me all the playground equipment at all the parks. And I found this great park today. It's really close to my home so I'm so glad that I found it. My daughter loves this park. She's quite a monkey and she loves to climb the apparatus. She went up the stairs and down the slide many times. They also had a disk where you could stand or sit and you could spin on it. We don't have that at our neighborhood park. I showed her how to do it and she loved it. She kept wanting to do it over and over again. She spun around so much and was laughing the whole time. In addition to the playground equipment they also have a big area where you can have a picnic or lunch. They have several picnic tables to sit at. They also have a tennis court, basketball court, and volleyball court. Best park I've been to so far! I will definitely come back soon!

    Neighborhood parks are a place to come and just enjoy the outdoors and away from the craziness that…read morelife throws at us. Discovering a new park while trying to figure out dinner plans is even more epic. The Hawaii Kai neighborhood is often a quiet one, so I was interested in finding the Hahaione Valley Neighborhood park deep in the valley is always a blessing when I needed a place of solace to sort out what life has dealt to me on this particular day It was also a time to think about what was for dinner on a casual Sunday afternoon in April 2020. I arrived here around 4:30pm via public transportation. Only 1 route on The Bus comes through this stretch of paradise. This route is route 1L and 80A and probably only on the eastbound direction. It stops in front of the park, which is awesome! During my most recent stay at the Hahaione Valley Neighborhood park, I tended to just slow walk around the perimeter of the park (as most of my experiences at local parks are these days) and check out what this park has to offer. The plus side is that there's nice gym equipment for kids to play and families to gather here for an evening to spend time together. The equipment doesn't look aged at all and the park itself seems maintained on a weekly basis. There is also a nice tennis court on the property, which is nice for anyone who loves a pick up game of tennis. I should get back into it sometime when I am not running. I spent about an hour here relaxing, enjoying, and walking through the park before making my lunch plans. It's always nice to have the park do your serious thinking for you. The overall experience here at the Hahaione Valley Neighborhood park is classified as subtle, classic, and quiet. The wind that comes through the area is always brisk and sometimes breezy too. While I was here at the Hahaione Valley Neighborhood park, there was just a few of people here, not including myself. Neighborhood parks are a great and inexpensive way to spend the day without having to spend money. Of course, you can walk and cruise the mall, but chances are you don't spend money at a park. I love the groomed nature of the park and how neat and organized everything here is. I do enjoy the park picnic benches that are around the park. It's nice to be able to sit here and enjoy yourself while having an outside lunch or dinner before heading home. The quiet ambiance of Hahaione Valley Neighborhood park is what excites me when I can come back here. For the most part though, I ended up walking around the perimeter of the park, which isn't too far around. I also people watched as something to do while doing those laps. I enjoyed the fact that this neighborhood park is definitely clean and away from basically everything and off the main road. If you ever need the mental time off, consider coming here to rest and recharge. Although the 2020 pandemic can be a problem, do what you can so that the Hahaione Valley Neighborhood park can be of value to you. I'd recommend coming here if you are in the area and worth every second being here. It made me smile and hope it will bring you happiness too. The Hahaione Valley Neighborhood park has been a fun and soothing discovery. I'm glad that there is no visible homeless situation here - at least during the day. One major turn off when I come to neighborhood parks is the tents and all the garbage that's haphazardly on the property. I enjoyed my experience here at the Hahaione Valley Neighborhood park, especially because it is tucked away into the residential area. It makes for a perfect peaceful getaway that's sure to please anyone and everyone who comes here. The park its great for families and individuals. It's physical address is 785 Ainapo Street in the heart of Hawaii Kai. Like all community and neighborhood parks, there is no admission fee, which is awesome and expected. As far as parking goes, your best bet would be to try to find street parking on residential roads wherever you can to be as close to the park as possible. Let mother nature take you where you want to be. Consider coming to Hahaione Valley Neighborhood park for a session. 5.0 stars for the overall experience. Oh they have a restroom facility on site. Support local! A+

    Photos
    Hahaione Valley Neighborhood Park - Restrooms and jungle gym

    Restrooms and jungle gym

    Hahaione Valley Neighborhood Park
    Hahaione Valley Neighborhood Park

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    Japanese Fisherman’s Memorial - Rest In Peace...

    Japanese Fisherman’s Memorial

    5.0(1 review)
    2.4 mi

    Landmark in Honolulu, Hawaii…read more.. I was driving my friends from New Jersey around the island. We stopped at Halona Blowhole, where I checked my Yelp app for other nearby Landmarks. Japanese Fishing Shrine (Umi Mamori Jizo) seemed like an interesting stop, so we looked for it. Located next to Eternity Beach, before the Halona Blowhole parking lot, on the way from Hawaii Kai, we parked on the shoulder of the road. It's a bit dangerous, so I wouldn't recommend this. However, one of my passengers has walking difficulties, and I wanted to park as close as possible for her. We struggled with going up and down the stone stairs, but it was worth it. The views of the ocean and Eternity Beach below are breathtaking! On the base of the Shrine are carvings - maybe it's the name of the person who drowned here many years ago? It's supposed to be a memorial for fishermen who lost their lives due to the strong, unpredictable waves along the beach. There's English, too: "Japanese Casting Club". When I used Google, I found out that there's an annual ceremony on the second Sunday in November, conducted by a Vietnamese Buddhist church. The Shrine was built in the 1940's. There's a carving of Jizo (Buddhist guardian) in the stone to protect fishermen. There were fruit and flower offerings, a solar-powered flower, and a flower lei at the shrine on 1-21-24. Rest In Peace...

    Photos
    Japanese Fisherman’s Memorial - "Honolulu Japanese Casting Club"

    "Honolulu Japanese Casting Club"

    Japanese Fisherman’s Memorial - Looking towards the mountain and the road...

    Looking towards the mountain and the road...

    Japanese Fisherman’s Memorial - View of Eternity Beach below

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    View of Eternity Beach below

    Makapuu Beach Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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