Located at the foot of the Koolau ridge, Kaiona Beach Park is a small, soft white sand beach located on the southeasternmost side of Waimanalo on Windward Oahu. Due to its calm and protected aquamarine waters, Kaiona Beach Park is a popular beach with locals. Even children and novices will enjoy swimming here, as the waves are gentle and the bottom is smooth with no rocks.

Although the water is wonderful for swimming, sometimes the water makes for poor snorkeling. As a feature of Windward Oahu, rain and freshwater runoff and strong trade winds sometimes cloud the water at Kaiona Beach. However, during the best days, the water is clear and access to the snorkeling site is easy.

The park behind the beach offers all the facilities for a picnic. For large picnics and parties, guests must obtain a permit from the City and County Department of Parks and Recreation. When picnics and parties involve a hundred people or more, you should prepare $100 for the deposit. Kainoa Beach Park used to be a popular camping site; the camping grounds, however, have recently been closed.

Services and amenities: restrooms, showers, picnic tables, phones, boat ramp, parking.

5 Unique Things About Kaiona Beach Park

• About 75 yards from the boat ramp down the beach is a National Historic Landmark: Pahonu Pond (Hawaiian for “turtle enclosure”). Made from a 50 x 5 stone wall, the pond is located in front of to the house on The Master’s Estate, which used to house sea turtles caught for an Ali’i or chief who favored sea turtle meat.
• The Master’s Estate was the setting for the television series Magnum PI
• One half of Kaiona Beach Park is home to the Waimanalo Canoe Club Halau.
• The beach boat ramp is the only launch and landing pad between Hawaii Kai and Kailua.
• The beach park is located at the base of the Kokolau Mountains; it is the first beach on the east side of Oahu.