Haʻena State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hāʻena State Park |
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Keʻe Beach from the Kalalau Trail
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 Hāʻena State Park
Location in Kauai
Hāʻena State Park
Location in Hawaii
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| Location | Hawaii, U.S. |
| Nearest city | Hanalei, Hawaii |
| Area | 230 acres (93 ha) |
| Governing body | Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources |
Hāʻena State Park is a beautiful state park located on the north shore of [[Kauaʻi]], an island in Hawaii. People often call it the "end of the road" because it's where the Kuhio Highway finishes. This park offers access to lovely beaches, exciting trails, and several very old Hawaiian sites. Some of these sites include sea caves that are more than 4,000 years old! You can also find ancient places linked to the hula dance, like a heiau (a special shrine) dedicated to the goddess Laka, located just above the beaches.
Exploring the Park
This park has a beach with a calm lagoon, which is usually safe for swimming. However, be careful because strong ocean currents can happen in the bay, especially during winter. At the park, you'll find helpful things like restrooms, outdoor showers, and picnic tables.
Limahuli Stream flows into the ocean at the park's eastern side. South of the park, Makana mountain stands tall above the Limahuli Garden and Preserve in the valley. Right before Kēʻē Beach, you'll find the start of the Kalalau Trail. This 11-mile path is the only way to reach Nā Pali Coast State Park by land. The areas around the beaches are covered with trees like ironwood and coconut palm, along with ti plants and guava bushes.
Hāʻena State Park is about an hour's drive from Lihue and 5 miles west of Hanalei, Hawaii. The park covers 230 acres and is at the very end of Kuhio Highway (Hawaii Route 560). To visit, you need to book a parking spot and pay an entry fee. Only 900 people are allowed to enter each day.
Amazing Beaches
- Kēʻē Beach is at the western edge of the park. This beach is west of Tunnels Beach (also known as "Makua Beach" at Haena Point). Tunnels Beach gets its name from the large waves that are great for surfing. Kēʻē Beach has a special reef lagoon that makes the water calm and perfect for snorkeling and swimming. Beyond the reef, the currents can be very strong, especially in the winter. In the Hawaiian language, Kēʻē means "avoidance." This name comes from old stories in Hawaiian mythology about the goddess Pele and Lohiʻau.
- Hāʻena Beach is just east of Hāʻena State Park. The word Haena means "red hot" in Hawaiian. This beach is located at 22°13′17″N 159°33′41″W / 22.22139°N 159.56139°W.
Park Management
The park was closed for a long time after the 2018 Hawaii floods damaged highways and bridges. This closure gave officials a chance to work with a local non-profit group on how to manage parking and other services. Hāʻena State Park is now a great example of how state parks can be managed when they are special because of their environment, culture, or history.
See also
In Spanish: Haena para niños
