Your Complete Kohanaiki Camping Guide

Your Complete Playbook for Visiting & Camping at Kohanaiki

Planning a trip to Kohanaiki is straightforward, but there are a few key details you need to know to make your visit smooth and enjoyable, especially if you plan to camp. The park's popularity means that advance planning is essential, particularly during peak seasons and holidays.

Getting There and Getting In: The Kohanaiki Gate

Finding the park is easy once you know the landmarks. From Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway (Highway 19), turn makai (towards the ocean) at the Hulikoa Drive traffic light, which is directly across from the Minit Stop gas station. This intersection is about 7 miles north of Kailua-Kona and is well-marked with signs for both the private resort and the public beach park.

You will see the impressive entrance to the private Kohanaiki Golf and Ocean Club, complete with stone pillars and landscaped grounds. Drive past their guard gate without stopping—the public access road will curve to the right, leading you around the golf course to the beach park's own entrance and guard shack.

The Ultimate Kohanaiki Camping Guide

Camping at Pinetrees is one of the best ways to experience the magic of this place. Waking up to the sound of the waves and watching the surfers at dawn is an unforgettable experience that connects you to the rhythms of the ocean in a way that day visits simply cannot match.

There's something profound about sleeping within earshot of the waves, about waking up naturally as the sky begins to lighten over Hualalai, about having your morning coffee while watching the first surfers of the day paddle out in glassy conditions. Camping here isn't just about saving money on accommodation. It's about slowing down and syncing your internal clock with the natural world.

Securing Your Permit: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough

But you can't just show up with a tent and hope for the best. A permit is required, and the process has several steps that must be followed precisely. The permit system exists to manage the impact on this sensitive coastal environment and to ensure that all visitors have a positive experience.

Kalani's Pro-Tips for the Best Beach Camping Experience

Pinetrees is one of my favorite places to camp, and over the years I've learned what makes the difference between a good camping trip and an unforgettable one. My advice comes from personal experience, trial and error, and conversations with countless other campers who've discovered their own secrets for success.

Park Facilities and Amenities

Thanks to the unique three-way management partnership between the community, county, and private landowner, the facilities at Kohanaiki are excellent and well-maintained. This collaborative approach ensures that the park offers amenities that rival the best state parks while maintaining the character and cultural integrity that makes it special.

• Clean restrooms serviced daily with outdoor showers and separate indoor showers for campers
• Drinking water spigots strategically located throughout the park with safe, potable water
• Covered pavilions with BBQ pits available first-come, first-served for charcoal or wood
• 24-hour security guards providing safety and assistance while enforcing park rules

Expanding Your Big Island Adventure

A trip to Kohanaiki often inspires a deeper desire to explore more of what Hawaiʻi has to offer, from high-energy thrills to profound historical journeys. The park serves as an excellent base for exploring the diverse attractions of the Big Island's Kona coast and beyond.

Many visitors find that their time at Kohanaiki changes their perspective on what they want from their Hawaiian vacation. The slower pace, the connection to nature, and the exposure to authentic Hawaiian culture often inspire people to seek out more meaningful experiences rather than typical tourist attractions.

Kalani's Final Word: Why Kohanaiki is More Than a Beach

Pinetrees is proof that a place can be more than just sand and water. It's a story of community, a testament to what happens when people refuse to accept that progress must come at the expense of what they hold sacred. It's a legal landmark that changed how development happens throughout Hawaiʻi. It's a sanctuary for honu and a playground for surfers. It's a reminder that some things are worth fighting for, that persistence and principle can prevail against overwhelming odds.

When you visit, you're not just a tourist passing through a scenic location. You're stepping into that story, becoming part of its kuleana, its legacy. Your presence, your behavior, and your understanding of the place contribute to whether the story continues to be one of success and harmony or whether it becomes cautionary tale about how paradise can be lost.

It's a place that asks us to be present, to be grateful, and to leave it better than we found it. In our age of digital distraction and hurried travel, Kohanaiki offers something increasingly rare: the opportunity to slow down, to sync with natural rhythms, and to remember what it feels like to be truly connected to a place.