Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area facts for kids
Hāpuna Beach State Recreation Area is a big park and sandy beach on the Big Island of Hawaii. It's a super popular spot for both people who live there and visitors! The name Hāpuna means "spring" or "pool" in the Hawaiian language.
This beach is one of the few amazing white sand beaches on the west side of the Big Island. In 1993, a professor named Stephen Leatherman, also known as "Dr. Beach," even called Hāpuna the "Best Beach in America"!
The park is about 61.8 acres big. It's located west of the main road, Route 19, and is about 2.3 miles south of Kawaihae, Hawaii. A part of the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, which is a historic walking path, goes right through the park.
Hāpuna Beach has lifeguards to help keep everyone safe. But it's important to know that when the waves are really big, the ocean can be dangerous because the beach is open to the sea. Always listen to the lifeguards!
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Become a Junior Lifeguard!
Every summer, Hawai’i County runs a special Junior Lifeguard Program right here at Hāpuna Beach! This program is for young people aged 12 to 17. It's a fantastic way to learn about ocean safety, first aid, and what it takes to be a real lifeguard.
Junior Lifeguard Program Dates
In 2019, the program had several sessions:
- Session 1: June 3–7
- Session 2: June 10–14
- Session 3: June 17–21
- Session 4: June 24–28
Each session ran from 9 AM to 1 PM.
Junior Lifeguard Championships
Hāpuna Beach also hosts exciting competitions for these young lifeguards!
- On June 29, 2019, the Hawai’i Island Junior Lifeguard Championships took place here.
- In 2020, Hāpuna was chosen to host the Hawai’i Junior Lifeguard State Championships. This event brought together Junior Lifeguards from Maui, Oahu, and Kauai to compete against the Big Island team!
Park Services and Fun Things to Do
Hāpuna Beach State Recreation Area offers many great services for visitors:
- If you live in Hawai’i, entry to the park is free! For visitors, it's just $5.
- There's paved parking, so it's easy to find a spot for your car.
- You'll find pavilions and picnic areas, perfect for having lunch or a snack with your family and friends.
- Clean restrooms and showers are available, so you can rinse off after swimming.
- If you love camping, you can even get permits to camp here!
