Hanakaʻōʻō Beach Park

Hanakaʻōʻō is a 4.8-acre county beach park at Kāʻanapali's south end, with a narrow sandy shore, bouldery waterline, shaded lawn and canoe-club houses. It's a good stop for a picnic, beach time or a glimpse of local outrigger activity. If you're after a wide, uninterrupted stretch of soft sand, this rocky-edged corner may not be your first pick.

Visitors snorkel around the rocks and sometimes spot sea turtles, but visibility and ocean conditions vary. Rocks, shorebreak and currents can make getting in and out difficult, so check conditions before swimming and ask a lifeguard if one is on duty. Don't count on a calm-water day just because the beach looks inviting.

Three canoe clubhouses and a launch give the park its local paddling character. If a crew is out, the outriggers make a distinctive foreground against the shoreline. In winter, keep an eye offshore for humpback whales. For a photo, include the dark rocks or palms in the foreground and look out toward Lānaʻi; the boulders show the character of this shore better than a frame of open water alone.

The park has grassy shade, picnic tables, covered pavilions, grills, parking areas and public ADA-accessible restrooms. Bring food and settle under the trees; the setup is for an outdoor meal, not a restaurant stop.