Maunalua Bay Beach Park

Maunalua Bay Beach Park is a Hawaii Kai waterfront park with boat ramps, paddling, fishing, picnic tables, bay views and Koko Head scenery.

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Maunalua Bay Beach Park, Oahu

Maunalua Bay, located in Hawaii Kai on Oahu's south shore, is a favorite spot for canoe paddlers, boaters, kayakers, fishers and picnickers. Swimming conditions are poor because the ocean bottom is shallow and rocky, but the bay views are nice and other ocean activities are common here. Maunalua means “two mountains” and refers to Koko Crater and Koko Head, the two peaks east of Maunalua Bay.

The beach park borders Kalanianaole Highway and was developed by Henry J. Kaiser when the Hawaii Kai Marina was built. In the past, the beach consisted of 535,000 square feet (49,703 sq. m) of coral that was dredged from the bay and pumped into low places along the existing shore. A boat channel was also dredged. After the park was completed, Kaiser donated it to the City and County of Honolulu in 1960.

The Hawaii Kai Marina was once a huge fishpond named Kuapa. At one point it covered 523 acres (2.1 sq. km), and its wall was 5,000 feet (1.5 km) long. Today, Maunalua Bay is still a busy ocean access point for paddling, boating, kayaking and fishing. There is a canoe storage building, or halau, at the west end of the park.

Key Features

Hawaii Kai waterfront park facing Maunalua Bay
Located at 6505 Kalanianaole Highway
Boat ramps and loading dock serve the bay
Popular for canoe paddling, kayaking, boating and fishing
Picnic tables, restrooms, showers and parking are available
Shallow, rocky nearshore bottom makes swimming poor
No lifeguards at the park
Views toward Koko Head, Koko Crater and the Hawaii Kai waterfront
Parking and ramp areas can get busy with trailers and paddling groups
Good for bay views, picnics, launch access and water-sports activity

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Maunalua mean?

Maunalua means “two mountains,” a name often connected with Koko Head and Koko Crater on the east side of the bay. Those two landmarks help frame the view from the park.

Why is Maunalua Bay important in Hawaii Kai history?

Before Hawaii Kai was developed, Maunalua Bay had extensive reef flats and fishpond areas, including one of Oahu's largest traditional fishponds. Much of the modern marina and waterfront grew from dredging and filling in the mid-1900s.

Why do paddlers and boaters use Maunalua Bay Beach Park?

The park has boat-ramp access and a broad bay setting close to Hawaii Kai. Canoe crews, kayakers, boaters and other water groups use the area because it opens directly into Maunalua Bay.

How is Maunalua Bay Beach Park different from Kuli'ou'ou Beach Park?

Maunalua Bay Beach Park is more of a launch and bay-view park, with boat ramps and a busier waterfront setting. Kuli'ou'ou Beach Park has a smaller neighborhood-park feel with grassy picnic areas and shallow reef-flat water.

Is Maunalua Bay Beach Park a good place for swimming?

Not usually. The nearshore bottom is shallow and rocky, and boating activity is part of the bay setting. Most visitors come for paddling, boating, fishing, picnics and views instead of swimming.