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Makalawena Beach
Thore Michels San Jose CA
* Secluded, uncrowded, whitesand beach just North of the Kona Airport.
* Makalawena is not easily accessible; generally you need a 4 wheel drive vehicle to drive down intoto neighboring Kekahakai State Park, and then hike 20 minutes
across a lava trail to get to Makalawena.
Thore Michels San Jose CA
On the trail, looking back toward Hualalai Volcano
* Water is generally clear and swimmable (best swimming in the middle); some snorkeling (better on North side of beach). People also boogie board and body surf sometimes. Water can be rough and have currents; exercise caution as there are no lifeguards here.
* No restrooms, no water, no facilities.
* Sometimes used as a nude beach (South end).
* Homes behind the beach are private property; no trespassing.
* There are several brackish ponds (a/k/a anchialine pools) near the beach. These are extremely rare habitats with small species of shrimp and other life forms that exist no where else on the planet. While some people say that you can bathe in these pools, your skin oils, sunscreen, and cosmetics can harm these fragile ecosystems. Please kokua; respect these special ponds.
* Makalawena and neighboring Kekaha Kai are the beautiful beaches you see from the left side of the plane shortly before landing in Kona.
Mahalo to Thore Michels San Jose CA
Most of the trail includes hiking over lava bed trails.
Mahalo to Thore Michels San Jose CA
Directions: There are two ways to get to Makalawena; one is by a 4wd road that has a locked gate. Unless you know someone with a key, you will have to park at the gate and hike about 20 minutes. The 4wd road is extremely rough.
The easiest way to access Makalawena is from neighboring Kekaha Kai State Park. (Note: this park is closed on Wednesdays.) You will need a vehicle with ground clearance (typically a 4WD jeep, etc.) to get to the parking lot at Kekaha Kai. People may advise that you can make it in a car, but be advised you run the risk of losing a muffler. (Note:plans are in the works to improve beach access.)
The trail to Makalawena starts at the parking lot to Kekaha Kai, bypassing the beach. You can also hike along Kekaha Kai Beach and meet up with the trail just North of the old Magoon house. Tennis shoes or thicker Teva sandals, etc. might be a good idea here. The hike to Makalawena is about 20 minutes.
(Be sure to bring water - it gets hot.)
Have any Makalawena pictures you'd like to share? We'll post them and give you the credit! Please send them to info@www.kona123.com