2 Hour Afternoon Adventure Snorkel
The Magic Merman Snorkel Charters (Au Au Kai, Inc) • Snorkel • Lahaina • Maui
Onekahakaha Beach Park
Hilo's Ultimate Family Guide for Safe Swimming, Tide Pooling, and Ocean Adventures
Written by a Local Expert
Kalani MillerA Hilo Welcome – More Than Just a Beach
The morning light catches the water just right at Onekahakaha, turning the protected lagoon into liquid glass. My youngest, Kiele, calls it "the mirror pond," and she's not wrong. This place has been our family's second home for years, where my keiki learned to swim and where I've watched countless other families create their first ocean memories.
As someone who measures his days by the tides and finds inspiration in the sea, I get asked about my favorite spots constantly. While the famous beaches grab the magazine covers, here in Hilo we have something special. Onekahakaha Beach Park feels like a shared secret, a place where local families exhale and let their guard down.
I've watched my friends' kids take their first steps into the ocean here. Their fears wash away in the calm, shallow water. This isn't just a park. It's a nursery for our keiki and for the sea life that thrives within its protective walls. I've seen three-year-olds who were terrified of waves transform into confident swimmers in these gentle waters.
Your Complete Resource
This guide is my invitation to you. Experience Onekahakaha not as a tourist, but as a guest who understands its heart. Whether you're a visiting family with young children seeking safe water play, a novice snorkeler eager to explore a protected ecosystem, or a curious local wanting to connect more deeply with a familiar place, this is your complete resource.
We'll cover everything from the microscopic life teeming in the tide pools to the best picnic spot for a lazy afternoon. You'll learn the park's rich history and its place in a perfect Hilo itinerary. This is designed to be the most thorough resource for Onekahakaha Beach Park available anywhere.
🏊♀️ Safe Family Swimming
Protected lagoon with shallow, sandy-bottomed areas perfect for children to learn and play safely in the ocean.
🐠 World-Class Tide Pools
Discover an incredible diversity of marine life in protected pools that serve as natural aquariums and nurseries.
🤿 Beginner-Friendly Snorkeling
Crystal clear waters with excellent visibility and calm conditions ideal for first-time snorkelers.
♿ Exceptional Accessibility
ADA-compliant facilities with a cement ramp directly into the water - rare accessibility for Hawaiian beaches.
Ready to Explore Onekahakaha?
From its fascinating history to practical tips for the perfect family day, discover everything you need to know about Hilo's premier beach park.
ℹ️ Quick Info
- Location: South Hilo
- Hours: 7am - 9pm
- Entry Fee: Free
- Lifeguards: Year-round
- Parking: 170+ spaces
⏰ Best Times to Visit
- Swimming: 8am-4pm
- Tide pooling: Low tide
- Snorkeling: Morning
- Picnics: Anytime
🗺️ Explore This Guide
🔗 Related Big Island Beaches
The Story of Onekahakaha – A Legacy of Land and Sea
To truly appreciate Onekahakaha, you need to understand its story. This is a tale of community vision, thoughtful engineering, and deep respect for the relationship between land and sea. The park we know today didn't happen by chance. It's the result of decades of careful planning and community commitment to creating a safe haven for families.
The Meaning in a Name
The park's name, Onekahakaha, translates from Hawaiian to "drawing pictures sand." It's beautifully poetic and sparks the imagination. While its exact origin isn't recorded in historical documents, you can easily picture the patterns left by receding tides on the sandy bottom. Or perhaps the trails of tiny crabs and sea creatures "drawing" their stories in the sand as they move across the ocean floor.
Community Vision
Established in 1930-1931 during a period of growth, designed specifically for family recreation and safety.
Thoughtful Engineering
Massive sea walls and breakwaters create protected lagoon while maintaining healthy marine habitats.
Growing Legacy
From 13 acres in 1930 to nearly 34 acres today, expanded thoughtfully to serve the growing community.
Before it became a public park, locals knew the area as Machida Beach, named after Tomozo Machida, who owned the original property. His legacy remains today. The road leading to the main parking lot still bears his name, a reminder of the private landowner who once called this beautiful stretch of coastline home.
