Old Kona Airport Beach Park

Old Kona Airport is a state-operated beach park with lots of amenities and excellent facilities. The scenery is interesting here as it really is the old airport for the town of Kailua Kona. The international airport was a serious upgrade from this one. The long abandoned paved runway is now a massive parking lot for a linear park with access to about a mile of shoreline.

Most of this shore is black lava rock with a sandy beach behind it. Waves can be breaking on the rocks which makes getting into the water challenging. The best water entry spots are at the extreme ends where you’ll find tiny protected coves where you can climb down into the ocean. The sandiest part of the beach is at the center near the first set of restrooms and pavilions.

The snorkeling at Old A can be good if the waves aren’t too strong. At the north end you can snorkel northward into Pawai Bay which has deeper spots for experienced snorkelers. This is also a popular shore dive entry point.

There are many covered picnic areas at Old Kona Airport Park so pack a lunch and enjoy the day here. All around the Old Airport there are other parks and facilities.

On the mauka side (towards the mountain) Maka’eo Walking Path is a great place to get some exercise. The path meanders through gardens, lawns with shade trees, and picnic areas. It’s about three-quarters of a mile to walk the entire loop and benches are provided for rests and contemplation. Kona Skate Park is next to the Makaeo Path.

South of the beach park there’s a spot for little ones (Na Kamalei Toddler Playground) and the Old Airport Tennis Courts. All around the tennis courts you’ll find ballfields and basketball courts (next to the gymnasium and aquatic center).

Walking south along the shore in front of the homes leads to many excellent tidepools and a rock arch where a concrete wall juts out towards the ocean. Note that the wall is public property, but the land behind it is not. Continuing along this southern should leads to Kona Keiki Beach.

To find the Old Kona Airport Beach Park head north (bends west) on Kuakini Highway from anywhere in urban Kailua. Just past Makala Boulevard the road enters the park. It’s walking distance from downtown, but if you drive to the park, make a note of when the gate closes at night so your car doesn’t get trapped in.

Address

75-5560 Kuakini Hwy
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

Phone

808.587.0100

Park Name

Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area, Kailua Park, Old Kona Airport Marine Life Conservation District

Other Names

Old A

Owner

County, State

Pet Details

No dogs allowed in the park

Fees

Free parking

Activities

Surfing, Swimming, Snorkeling, Fishing, Walking, Running, Tennis, Scuba Diving

Amenities

Walking Path, Grass Lawns, Gardens, Picnic Tables, Restrooms, Showers, Drinking Water, Covered Pavilions, Skate Park, Playground, Tennis Courts, Ballfields, Tide Pools, Rock Arch