Keahole Point Shoreline Access, Kailua-Kona

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About Keahole Point Shoreline Access on Kona & West Island, Hawaii

Keahole Point Shoreline Access is missed by almost all tourists and most wouldn’t care. It’s not a beach and the swimming isn’t great, but this rocky point has is an interesting shoreline with natural features, old industrial structures, and even some historical Hawaiian sites.

Walking all around Keahole Point, visitors will discover old foundations, pipes, flumes, and evidence of humans harnessing the sea. Water is piped up from deep parts of the Pacific Ocean for the tenants of this facility. There used to be a lighthouse at Keahole Point, but it has been replaced with a less interesting electronic light. The natural features include tide pools and lava depressions. A pleasant but sandy shoreline path follows the shore southward to Wawaloli Beach Park.

Those who are interested in seeing Hawaiian history should walk north around the point to Ho’ona Historic Preserve where there are archaeological sites that few folks know about.

Since this shoreline access is located on a point, it’s possible to see whales offshore, but the best whale watching spots are north of Keahole Point. Fishing is the most common activity at Keahole Point.

To find Keahole Point you’ll turn into HOST Park from Highway 19 (signed Hawaii Ocean Science Technology Park & Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority). From the south (Kailua) or north you can turn toward the ocean from the divided highway onto Kahilihili Street. In less than a mile this road intersects Makako Bay Drive where you’ll turn right and drive to the road’s end. Before entering the gates of the Natural Energy Lab turn left onto a gravel road (look for a Shoreline Public Access sign there). Park wherever you want to explore. You can also access the shore at the end of Ilikai Place on the left before the end of the road.

HOST Park is open to the public every day from 6am to 8pm.