Holoholokai Beach Park

Holoholokai Beach Park is a rocky Kohala Coast park near Mauna Lani, with lava rock, coral rubble, shaded picnic areas and a nearby petroglyph trail.

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Holoholokai Beach Park, Big Island

Holoholokai Beach Park on the Big Island is not your typical white-sand beach. This rocky strip of coastline has something different: a look at ancient Hawaii through petroglyphs. The beach is next to the Malama Petroglyph Trail leading to the Puako Petroglyphs, the largest collection of petroglyphs in Hawaii. With a good eye, you can spot more than 3,000 of these old drawings etched onto large boulders.

Many visitors to the trail also stop at this beach to relax, picnic or take pictures. There is more rock than sand on Holoholokai Beach, but the black lava rocks mixed with white coral rubble make for interesting beach scenery. It's not a good beach for swimming because the nearshore ocean bottom is rocky, which makes entering the ocean difficult. Besides the rock outcroppings, occasional high surf can make it dangerous even for experienced swimmers.

In the park area, you’ll find picnic tables, barbecue grills, lots of trees and grassy areas for ball games. Restrooms and showers are also located in the park.

Key Features

Rocky Kohala Coast park near Mauna Lani and Puako
Black lava rock mixed with white coral rubble
Nearby Malama Petroglyph Trail leads toward Puako Petroglyphs
More than 3,000 petroglyphs are in the nearby preserve area
Shaded grass and trees give the park a picnic-friendly feel
Shoreline is rougher than a soft sand beach
Rocky nearshore bottom makes ocean entry difficult
High surf can make the shoreline unsafe
Parking is near the beach park and picnic area
Visitors should wear shoes near lava, coral rubble and trail sections

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much time should visitors allow?

Many visitors allow 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on whether they are only stopping at the shoreline or also walking toward the nearby petroglyph area.

What is the shoreline like?

The shoreline is mostly lava rock and white coral rubble, so it feels rougher and more textured than a soft white-sand beach.

Is Holoholokai Beach Park a good sunset stop?

It can be, especially on clear evenings when the lava shoreline, coral rubble and Kohala Coast light make the beach area more photogenic.

What should visitors wear for the petroglyph trail?

Wear shoes for hot lava, coral rubble and uneven ground. The walk can feel sunny and exposed, especially in the middle of the day.

How should visitors treat the nearby petroglyph area?

Stay on marked routes, avoid touching or tracing carvings, never move rocks and treat the petroglyphs as an important Hawaiian cultural site.