Welcome to O`ahu's longest sandy white beach. There are several beach parks along the bay and snorkelers will be pleased with the conditions and the variety of tropical fish in this shallow, reef-protected bay. This area also has some interesting shopping and not-to-miss sites.
Shopping
Patrick Ching's Naturally Hawaiian Gallery, 41-1025 Kalaniana`ole Highway, tel. 808-259-5354, www.Pat-rick-ChingArt.com. This roadside gallery has been attracting visitors for years. Ching can often be found at the gallery. His art is much admired throughout the Hawaiian community as well as with tourists, many of whom make return trips to the gallery. He teaches painting workshops internationally and at his Naturally Hawaiian Gallery. In his spare time Ching is a horseman and a well-known rodeo clown. He is also the author of several best-selling books, including Sea Turtles of Hawaii and The Tale of Rabbit Island.
Sightseeing
Makapu`u Lighthouse
The Makapu`u Lighthouse, built in 1909 and automated in 1974, is one of Hawaii's most familiar landmarks. A two-mile paved trail to the lighthouse provides visitors with a fantastic view of the entire Windward coastline and even the island of Moloka`i in the distance. Manana (Rabbit) Island and Kaohikaipu Island can also be seen from this vista point. If you're fortunate enough to visit during the whale season (December to April) you may see the amazing humpback whales traveling through the Moloka`i Channel.
To get to the lighthouse, follow Kalakaua Avenue past the Honolulu Zoo and Kapi`olani Park. Turn right onto Diamond Head Road and follow the signs going east (to your left) to Kalaniana`ole Highway (Route 72). Pass Hanauma Bay and Sandy Beach Park and the Hawaii Kai Golf Course. About half a mile past the golf course on the right is a gate blocking the trail entrance. Parking is available along the street – no cars are allowed on the trail. Don't forget water and sunscreen, as there is no shade along the trail. There are also no restroom facilities so take care of business before you leave. Although the trail is considered a moderate hike, there are some steep spots, so be prepared.
Just for Foodies
The legendary Nalo Farms, 41-574 Makakalo Street, tel. 808-259-7698, www.nalo-farms.com, is in Waim-analo and is renowned throughout the islands for growing world-class greens in a small yet famous farm. Owner Dean Okimoto has been called a "celebrity farmer" and his Nalo Greens can be seen on menus throughout the island. The warm days and moderate nights of Waimanalo create the perfect climate for his greens – arugula, mizuna, tatsoi, red mustard, red Russian kale, pepper cress, tango, red and green oak leaf lettuce, red and green romaine and beet greens. They are grown in composted volcanic soil with few, if any, pesticides. Fate stepped in when up-and-coming chef Roy Yamaguchi told Okimoto that if he'd grow greens, Yamaguchi would take them all and pay cash.
Tours of the farm are available from Monday through Friday from 10 am to 2 pm Each tour requires a minimum of 10 people and admission $8 per person. Plan ahead as there is a one to two-month waiting list for reservation.
Sea Life Park
Sea Life Park, tel. 808-259-7933, www.sea-lifepark-hawaii.com, is about 15 miles from Waikiki on Oahu's lovely Mak-apu`u Point. The world-class marine at-traction has a perfect lo-cation, perched be-t-we-en the beautiful Ko`olau Mountain Range and breathtaking Maka-pu`u Beach. Some of the more popular programs at Sea Life Park include the Dolphin Adventure, in which participants can touch the dolphins and even pose for a kiss from the friendly animals. A trainer is always nearby to educate visitors about these amazing creatures. If you're more of a spectator than a participant, you may want to check out the Hawaiian Dolphin Show where sea lions dance, penguins parade around and dolphins do their tricks.
Aerial view of Sea Life Park
One of the rare inhabitants of the park is a "wolphin" named Kekaimalu, which means "the peaceful sea." The wolphin is a hybrid between a false killer whale and an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin. Kekaimalu was born on May 15, 1985 and now weighs about 690 pounds. She eats 45 pounds of fish a day. Although hybrid animals are generally sterile, Kekaimalu gave birth to a baby girl on December 23, 2004.
The Sea Life Park is also home to a Seabird Rehabilitation Facility that takes in 200 to 400 birds a year. The facility's goal is to release as many of these birds as possible after caring rehabilitation. Some will never be able to be on their own so they are permanent residents of the facility. These birds looked very happy in their environment when I visited.
Food and beverages are available at the Sea Lion Café, which offers usual park fare such as nachos, hot dogs, etc.
Frigate bird
The park is open daily from 9:30 am to 5 pm and, at press time, admission was $29 for adults and $19 for juniors. The Dolphin Royal Swim costs $199, while the regular Dolphin Swim Adventure will run you $149. These prices include admission to the park.
Luau Alert: The Sea Life Park also has a luau every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday at 6 pm. The luau costs $80 for adults or $50 for children and lasts three hours. It includes an all-you-can-eat Hawaiian buffet and a spectacular fire dance show presented by Tihati!
Manana (Rabbit) Island and Kaohikaipu Island
You can see these two islands offshore right after passing the Sea Life Park. Today the islands are seabird sanctuaries and a breeding area for many bird species.
Beaches
Kaiona Beach Park
Kaiona Beach Park is a popular spot for launching canoes or kayaks and snorkeling can be good at times. There's no sign labeling the beach but if you see a sign for the Waimano Canoe Club, you're in the right place. The park has showers and restrooms available.
Waimanalo Bay Recreation Area
This 75-acre state park at 41-1055 Kalaniana`ole Highway is also referred to as Sherwood Forest due to the heavily wooded ironwood forest just inland from the beach. This is a great spot for a lightweight hike or long beach walk.
Waimanalo Beach Park
Waimanalo Beach Park is in the center of the Waimanalo Bay Recreation area and provides visitors and locals with a mostly calm swimming area. Lifeguards, rest-rooms, showers, pay phones are accessible at the park. Waimanalo Beach Park is off Aloiloi Street and is popular for swimming, body-board-ing and surfing.
Bellows Field Beach Park
Bellows Field Beach Park, 41-043 Kalaniana`ole Highway, is great for swimming, especially in the summer months when kids come to swim, boogie board and body surf. Watch out for signs warning about the Portuguese men-of-war that are known to frequent beaches on the Windward side of the island. Amenities include picnic areas, showers, restrooms and lifeguards (in the summer and on weekends).
Adventures in Water
Scuba Diving
Manana (Rabbit) Island is a superb dive spot for advanced divers. It is just off Makapu`u Beach Park on the southwest point of O`ahu. Although the water is shallow, the best diving is done off a boat, either on the seaward side of Manana Island or along the ridge at a 40-foot depth that runs between Manana Island and the O`ahu shore. Be on the lookout for lobster, triton trumpets, helmet shells, whitetip reef sharks and tiger sharks.
Island Divers Hawaii, tel. 808-423-8222 or 888-844-3843, www.oahuscubadiving.com, offers dive charters, scuba training, introductory dives, and wreck diving (only available on O`ahu!).
Moloka`I Express Warning: Be careful of getting trapped in the "Moloka`i Express," a swift-moving current that whips around Makapu`u Point, bringing in clean waters and, occasionally, an unsuspecting diver. The large population of fish located here is also attractive to sharks, especially the very territorial tiger shark. Do not ignore a tiger shark sighting. Vacate the area as soon as possible!
Where to Stay
Camping
Waimanalo Beach Park, Waimanalo Bay Beach Park and Bellows Field Beach Park are all county parks that allow camping as long as you have a permit. For more information about camping in county parks, call tel. 808-523-4525 or visit www.co.honolulu.hi.us/parks/permits.htm.
Vacation Rental
If a beach house sounds more fun than a resort or camping, check out the Waimanalo Beach House, tel. 808-531-1411, www.hawaiian-sunrise.com, broder@hawaii.rr.com. On six-mile-long Waimanalo Beach, this spacious house has room for nine people. The main house has three bedrooms and two bathrooms (including a Jacuzzi tub), a large living area and a dining room with koa wood flooring. An unattached studio guest room can serve as a fourth bedroom. At press time, the beach house went for $700 per night.
Waimānalo is a census-designated place (CDP) in the City & County of Honolulu, in the District of Koʻolaupoko on the island of Oʻahu. This small windward community is located near the eastern end of the island. In the Hawaiian language Waimānalo means "potable water"; it is so named for the many brackish ponds in the area that were used for irrigation. As of the 2000 Census, the CDP had a total population of 3,664.
Waimānalo is close to, but somewhat separate from the neighborhood of Waimānalo Beach. Waimānalo has a small commercial center along Kalanianaʻole Highway, but is separated from the shoreline and Waimānalo Beach (the longest stretch of sandy shoreline on Oʻahu) by Bellows Air Force Station. Waimānalo is noteworthy for its local flavor and large agricultural lots in the valley that extends back towards the Koʻolau from the center of town. Numerous plant nurseries are found in this area. There are no hotels here.
Waimānalo is the site of Sea Life Park, located near Hawaiʻi Kai on Kalanianaole Highway. The U.S. postal code for Waimānalo is 96795.
The southern view of Waimānalo, looking north from Kalanianaʻole Highway.
As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 3,664 people, 849 households, and 751 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 9,319.0 people per square mile (3,627.4/km²). There were 904 housing units at an average density of 2,299.2/sq mi (895.0/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 10.84% White, 0.16% Black or African American, 0.14% Native American, 26.80% Asian, 24.73% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races, and 37.01% from two or more races. 10.37% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 849 households out of which 38.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.4% were married couples living together, 21.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 11.5% were non-families. 8.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.31 and the average family size is 4.42.
In the community the population was spread out with 31.4% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 8.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 97.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.8 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $47,594, and the median income for a family was $43,347. Males had a median income of $28,036 versus $21,621 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $12,493. 8.1% of the population and 5.9% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 9.6% of those under the age of 18 and 5.7% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Waimanalo is the home of Sea Life Park, a marine biology and sealife attraction located near Makapu'u Beach. Japanesesumogrand champion, Chad Rowan (aka Akebono) was born in Waimanalo. A large statue of Akebono stands at the Waimanalo Shopping Center and serves as a tourist photo op.
