Makena State Park

Makena State Park's "Big Beach" from Makena Point

Makena State Park comprises 165 acres (0.7 km²) in Makena, south of Wailea on the island of Maui, Hawaii.

Big Beach, also known as "Oneloa Beach" and "Makena Beach", is a popular spot for sunbathing and bodyboarding by both tourists and locals. Big Beach is 1.5 miles (2.4 km) long and more than 100 feet (30 m) wide. The shore is fairly protected from wind. The "Makena cloud" that stretches from the top of Haleakala to Kahoʻolawe is often overhead, cooling the sand.

Little Beach, also known as "Puʻu Olai Beach" is a small beach just North of Big Beach separated by a steep lava outcropping (the tip of Puʻu Olai) and a 5-minute hike. On Sunday afternoons/evenings Little Beach is host to celebratory drumming and fire dancing. The beach is only 660 feet (200 m) long and can seem crowded at peak times. Little Beach is one of the few Hawaiian beaches where local police tolerate nude sunbathing, though the proliferation of video cameras and cell phones has greatly reduced the number of people who take it all off. (Another is Red Sand Beach near Hāna).

Puʻu Olai is a dormant volcanic cinder cone in the center of the park with a height of 360 feet (110 m).

It is located on Makena Road at 20°37′52″N 156°26′46″W / 20.63111°N 156.44611°W / 20.63111; -156.44611Coordinates: 20°37′52″N 156°26′46″W / 20.63111°N 156.44611°W / 20.63111; -156.44611. Just to the south is the ʻAhihi Kinaʻu Natural Area Reserve.

Gallery

Aerial view of the Big and Little Beach in Makena State Park
Aerial view of Makena State Park with Molokini and Kahoolawe
Big Beach with a 13-second night exposure
Photo of sunset taken from the Big Beach in Makena State Park
View of "Black Sand Beach" (Naupaka Beach) from top of Puu Olai
"Little Beach" (Puʻu Olai Beach) from Makena Point
Old lava flow at north end of "Little Beach"

Panoramic view of Big Beach from Makena Point

Protected areas of Hawaii

Federal

National Parks	Haleakalā Hawaiʻi Volcanoes

National Historical Parks & Sites	Kalaupapa NHP Kaloko-Honokōhau NHP Puʻukoholā Heiau NHS Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau NHP

National Monuments	Papahānaumokuākea Marine World War II Valor in the Pacific

National Marine Sanctuary	Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale

National Wildlife Refuges	Hakalau Forest Hanalei Hawaiian Islands Huleia James Campbell Kakahaia Kealia Pond Kilauea Point Kona Forest Oahu Forest

Wilderness Areas	Haleakala Hawaii Volcanoes

State Parks,
Monuments
Recreation Areas
and Preserves

Hawaiʻi (island)	Akaka Falls State Park Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area Hulihee Palace Kalopa State Recreation Area Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park Kohala Historical Sites State Monument Kona Coast (Kekaha Kai) State Park Kīholo State Park Reserve Lapakahi State Historical Park Lava Tree State Monument MacKenzie State Recreation Area Manuka State Wayside Mauna Kea Ice Age Reserve Mauna Kea State Recreation Area Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area Wailoa River State Recreation Area Wailuku River State Park

Kaua‘i	Ahukini State Recreation Pier Ha'ena State Park Koke'e State Park Nā Pali Coast State Park Polihale State Park Russian Fort Elizabeth State Historical Park Wailua River State Park Waimea Canyon State Park Waimea State Recreational Pier

Maui	Haleki'i-Pihana Heiau State Monument ʻĪao Valley State Monument Kaumahina State Wayside Park Makena State Park Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area Pua'a Ka'a State Wayside Park Wai'anapanapa State Park Wailua Valley State Wayside Park

Moloka‘i	Pala'au State Park

O‘ahu	Ahupua'a O Kahana State Park 'Aiea Bay State Recreation Area Diamond Head State Monument Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve He‘eia State Park ‘Iolani Palace State Monument Ka'ena Point State Park Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline Kaka'ako Waterfront Park Kea'iwa Heiau State Recreation Area Kewalo Basin Kukaniloko Birthstones State Monument La'ie Point State Wayside Makapu‘u Point State Wayside Malaekahana State Recreation Area Nu'uanu Pali State Wayside Pu'u o Mahuka Heiau State Monument Pu'u 'Ualaka'a State Wayside Queen Emma Summer Palace Royal Mausoleum State Monument Sacred Falls State Park Sand Island State Recreation Area Ulupo Heiau State Historic Site Wa'ahila Ridge State Recreation Area Wahiawa Freshwater State Recreation Area

Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources

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