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Waiʻānapanapa State Park – Honokalani Beach (48872198702)📷 Kirt Edblom from Kihei, Hi, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0
Editor's pick

Waiʻānapanapa State Park

Hana, HI

Nature

A black sand beach, sea caves and lava arches on the Road to Hana. Entry and parking must be reserved.

Waiʻānapanapa State Park covers about 50 hectares (122 acres) near Hāna on Maui’s east coast, at mile marker 32 of the Hāna Highway, roughly ten minutes from town. The name means “glistening fresh water.” Pāʻiloa Beach has black sand made of ground-up lava. The park also has sea caves, blowholes, lava tubes and a sea arch. Tiny red shrimp live in the freshwater caves and pools and at times turn the water reddish; according to legend, Princess Popoalaea was killed here by her husband, Chief Kaʻakea.

Visitors who do not live in Hawaiʻi must reserve entry and parking online in advance; bookings open 30 days ahead at gostateparks.hawaii.gov (as of October 2026). The Hāna Highway is narrow with one-lane bridges, and the drive from Kahului takes 2.5 to 3 hours. The coastal trail is about 3.4 km (2.1 miles) round trip and follows an old royal path. Swim only when the sea is calm, don’t take any sand or rocks, and leave your drone at home.

Nearest town
Hana, HI
Category
Nature & parks
GPS
20.7870, -156.0010
Editor's pick
★

Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.

Good to know

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The most pleasant months are usually December–February. Still fine, with some compromises, in March–June and September–November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

Sources

Featured in these trip guides

Road to Hana, Maui – Florals at the Wai'anapanapa State Park© Boydsk2000 · CC BY-SA 4.0
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Coast & island drives

Road to Hana, Maui

41 mi4 stops2 days

Nearby

Haleakalā Summit – Haleakala Observatory 2017© Ekrem Canli · CC BY-SA 4.0
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Haleakalā Summit

Kula, HI
Pololū Valley Lookout - panoramio© zak11527 · CC BY-SA 3.0
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Pololū Valley Lookout

Hāwī, HI
2021-10-10 15 02 29 Information display for the Muliwai Trail at the Waipiʻo Valley Lookout in Kukuihaele, Hawaii County, Hawaii© Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0
Views

Waipiʻo Valley Lookout

Honokaʻa, HI
Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site – Looking Towards Stone Leaning Post, Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site, Hawaii (4527363439)© Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0
History

Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site

Kawaihae, HI

Campsites nearby

  • Waiʻānapanapa State ParkCampsite
    0 mi from Waiʻānapanapa State Park
    TentsFree
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Waiʻānapanapa State Park CampgroundCampsite
    0 mi from Waiʻānapanapa State Park
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Kīpahulu CampgroundCampsite
    9 mi from Waiʻānapanapa State Park
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Hosmer GroveCampsite
    15 mi from Waiʻānapanapa State Park
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Polipoli Springs State Recreation AreaCampsite
    23 mi from Waiʻānapanapa State Park
    OSMAdd to trip

All campsites in Hawaii · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026

FAQs

Where is Waiʻānapanapa State Park?

Waiʻānapanapa State Park is in Hana, HI, at GPS 20.7870, -156.0010. It is about 25 mi from Paia.

Can you camp near Waiʻānapanapa State Park?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Waiʻānapanapa State Park, about 0 mi away; within 25 mi there are 5 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

Which road trips pass Waiʻānapanapa State Park?

Waiʻānapanapa State Park is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Road to Hana, Maui.

What is there to see near Waiʻānapanapa State Park?

Places worth a stop nearby: Haleakalā Summit (17 mi), Pololū Valley Lookout (44 mi), Waipiʻo Valley Lookout (54 mi) and Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site (54 mi).

When is the best time to visit Waiʻānapanapa State Park?

The most pleasant months are usually December–February. Still fine, with some compromises, in March–June and September–November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)