Ha'ena State Park
Encyclopedia
Hāena State Park is a state park
located on the north shore of the Hawaii
an island of Kauai
. It is often referred to as the "end of the road" and marks the end point of the Kuhio Highway
. The park provides access to beaches, trails, and several ancient Hawaii
an sites, including sea caves estimated to be more than 4,000 years old. Archaeological sites associated with the hula
, including a Heiau
(shrine) dedicated to Laka
, are located above the park's beaches.
, the 230-acre park is at the terminus of the Kuhio Highway (Hawaii Route 560
) at 22°13′15"N 159°34′42"W.
The small parking lot was not large enough to accommodate all the visitors, so an overflow parking lot was built. Though the beach has a relatively safe lagoon, very strong currents have been reported at the bay, especially in the winter. Amenities at the park include pay phones, picnic tables, restrooms and outdoor showers.
Limahuli Stream enters the ocean at the eastern edge of the state park. To the south of the park, Makana
mountain soars above Limahuli Garden and Preserve
in the valley. Just before the Kēē beach is the Kalalau Trail
trailhead, an 11 miles (17.7 km) foot path that is the only land access into the Nā Pali Coast State Park
. The area surrounding the beaches is vegetated by ironwood
trees, coconut palms, ti
, and guava
.
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
located on the north shore of the Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
an island of Kauai
Kauai
Kauai or Kauai, known as Tauai in the ancient Kaua'i dialect, is geologically the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. With an area of , it is the fourth largest of the main islands in the Hawaiian archipelago, and the 21st largest island in the United States. Known also as the "Garden Isle",...
. It is often referred to as the "end of the road" and marks the end point of the Kuhio Highway
Hawaii Route 560
Route 560 or Kaua'i Belt Road-North Shore section, is a ten-mile scenic road on the northern shore of the island of Kauai in Hawaii. The entire belt road is signed as the Kuhio Highway and Hawaii Route 56 was once signed on this route before it was downgraded to become Hawaii Route 560...
. The park provides access to beaches, trails, and several ancient Hawaii
Ancient Hawaii
Ancient Hawaii refers to the period of Hawaiian human history preceding the unification of the Kingdom of Hawaii by Kamehameha the Great in 1810. After being first settled by Polynesian long-distance navigators sometime between AD 300–800, a unique culture developed. Diversified agroforestry and...
an sites, including sea caves estimated to be more than 4,000 years old. Archaeological sites associated with the hula
Hula
Hula is a dance form accompanied by chant or song . It was developed in the Hawaiian Islands by the Polynesians who originally settled there. The hula dramatizes or portrays the words of the oli or mele in a visual dance form....
, including a Heiau
Heiau
A heiau is a Hawaiian temple. Many types of heiau existed, including heiau to treat the sick , offer first fruits, offer first catch, start rain, stop rain, increase the population, ensure health of the nation, achieve success in distant voyaging, reach peace, and achieve success in war . Only the...
(shrine) dedicated to Laka
Laka
In Hawaiian mythology, Laka is the name of a popular hero from Polynesian mythology....
, are located above the park's beaches.
Description
A little over an hour's drive from Lihue and 5 miles (8 km) west of Hanalei, HawaiiHanalei, Hawaii
Hanalei is a census-designated place in Kauai County, Hawaii, United States. The population was 478 at the 2000 census. Hanalei means "lei making" in Hawaiian...
, the 230-acre park is at the terminus of the Kuhio Highway (Hawaii Route 560
Hawaii Route 560
Route 560 or Kaua'i Belt Road-North Shore section, is a ten-mile scenic road on the northern shore of the island of Kauai in Hawaii. The entire belt road is signed as the Kuhio Highway and Hawaii Route 56 was once signed on this route before it was downgraded to become Hawaii Route 560...
) at 22°13′15"N 159°34′42"W.
The small parking lot was not large enough to accommodate all the visitors, so an overflow parking lot was built. Though the beach has a relatively safe lagoon, very strong currents have been reported at the bay, especially in the winter. Amenities at the park include pay phones, picnic tables, restrooms and outdoor showers.
Limahuli Stream enters the ocean at the eastern edge of the state park. To the south of the park, Makana
Makana
Makana is a mountain located on northern shore of the island of Kauai, where it rises above Limahuli Valley at .Makana is a Hawaiian language term meaning gift or reward. It is often used as a person's name or as part of a name....
mountain soars above Limahuli Garden and Preserve
Limahuli Garden and Preserve
The Limahuli Garden and Preserve is a botanical garden and nature preserve on the north shore of Kauai island, Hawaii. It is one of the five gardens of the non-profit National Tropical Botanical Garden.-Description:...
in the valley. Just before the Kēē beach is the Kalalau Trail
Kalalau Trail
The Kalalau Trail is a trail along the Nā Pali Coast of the island of Kauai in the state of Hawaii. The trail is very strenuous and runs approximately along the island's north shore from Kee Beach to the Kalalau Valley...
trailhead, an 11 miles (17.7 km) foot path that is the only land access into the Nā Pali Coast State Park
Na Pali Coast State Park
Nā Pali Coast State Park encompasses of land and is located in the center of the rugged along the northwest side of Kauai, the oldest inhabited Hawaiian island. The Nā Pali coast itself extends southwest starting at Kee Beach extending all the way to Polihale State Park. The pali rise as high as...
. The area surrounding the beaches is vegetated by ironwood
Ironwood
Ironwood is a common name for a large number of woods that have a reputation for hardness. Usage of the name may include the tree that yields this wood...
trees, coconut palms, ti
Ti
Ti may refer to:* Tiye, the mother of Akhenaten* Ti or Tī is a generic name in Polynesian languages for plants of the genus Cordyline, including:...
, and guava
Guava
Guavas are plants in the myrtle family genus Psidium , which contains about 100 species of tropical shrubs and small trees. They are native to Mexico, Central America, and northern South America...
.
Beaches
- Kēē Beach is located at the western edge of the park. This beach is located west from "Tunnels Beach" (aka "Makua Beach" at Haena Point), which refers to the large waves that are thought to be ideal for surfingSurfingSurfing' is a surface water sport in which the surfer rides a surfboard on the crest and face of a wave which is carrying the surfer towards the shore...
. Kēē Beach has a unique reef lagoon, which allows the water to be calm and attractive for snorkeling and swimming. Beyond the reef, however, very strong currents, especially in the winter, have been reported. In HawaiianHawaiian languageThe Hawaiian language is a Polynesian language that takes its name from Hawaii, the largest island in the tropical North Pacific archipelago where it developed. Hawaiian, along with English, is an official language of the state of Hawaii...
, Kēē literally translates to "avoidance", referring to stories in Hawaiian mythologyHawaiian mythologyHawaiian mythology refers to the legends, historical tales and sayings of the ancient Hawaiian people. It is considered a variant of a more general Polynesian mythology, developing its own unique character for several centuries before about 1800. It is associated with the Hawaiian religion...
about the goddess Pele and Lohiau..
- Hāena Beach is located just to the east of Haena State Park. Haena is HawaiianHawaiian languageThe Hawaiian language is a Polynesian language that takes its name from Hawaii, the largest island in the tropical North Pacific archipelago where it developed. Hawaiian, along with English, is an official language of the state of Hawaii...
and literally translates to "red hot". The beach is located at: 22°13′17"N 159°33′41"W,.