Hukilau Beach

Hukilau Beach Park in Laie is a wide sandy beach with calm-season swimming, bodyboarding, fishing, picnic shade and community fishing history tied to its name.

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Hukilau Beach Park, Oahu

Hukilau Beach Park is located in the town of La'ie on Oahu's northeastern shore. It is a section of the long sand beach that runs between La'ie and Kalani Points. Swimming is good here during the summer. In winter, when the surf is up, watch out for strong currents.

A "hukilau" in Hawaiian is a traditional method of fishing, in which a group of people participate. "Hukilau" literally means "pull a lau," which is a rope with ti leaves attached to it.

In 1947, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints organized a hukilau in La'ie to fundraise money to replace their wooden chapel, which had burned down. Because the hukilau was so popular, the visitor industry asked the La'ie community to continue this fishing method as a visitor attraction. So for years, it was held on this beach.

In 1970, the state determined that it was a commercial endeavor that needed to be taxed. The community found the hukilau to be unprofitable and discontinued this popular event. But up until today, the beach here is known as Hukilau Beach.

Key Features

Wide sandy beach in Laie on Oahu's northeastern coast
Name tied to community hukilau fishing gatherings in Laie
Calm-season swimming, bodyboarding, fishing and beach walks
Park has parking, picnic shade and a beach shower
No lifeguards or restrooms at the beach park
Vehicle access is closed on Sundays, though walk-in access is allowed
Long sand area between Laie and Kalani Points
Near Laie town and the Polynesian Cultural Center
Winter surf and currents can make water entry unsafe
Windward beach stop with local history, shade and open sand

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Hukilau mean?

A hukilau is a traditional group fishing method. People helped pull a rope or net, often with ti leaves attached, to guide fish toward shore. The name reflects the community fishing events once held in Laie.

Why was Hukilau Beach once called Hamana's Beach?

Before the organized hukilau fundraiser, this beach was associated with Hamana Kalili, a Laie fishing master who had his boat house here. Hamana is also linked to the origin story of the shaka sign.

How did the Laie hukilau events become so well known?

The Laie community organized hukilau events as fundraisers, and the gatherings later became a visitor attraction with fishing, food and local entertainment. That history helped make the beach name familiar far beyond the town.

What is Jenagators reef?

Jenagators is a reef at the south end of Hukilau. The name comes from actress Janet Gaynor, whose name was reshaped by local pidgin-speaking kids who learned to surf on the shallow reef.

How is Hukilau Beach different from Laie Beach Park?

Hukilau has a wide, open sand setting and a name tied to Laie's hukilau fishing history. Laie Beach Park, often called Pounders, is more closely associated with the stronger surf at that part of the coast.