Ke'ehi Lagoon Beach Park

Ke'ehi Lagoon Beach Park is an urban Honolulu lagoon park near the airport, with canoe clubs, calm paddling water, open fields, picnic space and plane views.

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Ke'ehi Lagoon Beach Park, Oahu

This urban beach park is located next to the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu. Ke'ehi Lagoon is a good place for canoeing and boating since the waters are usually calm in the protected lagoon. Many canoe clubs do their practice sessions here and outrigger canoe regattas take place from time to time. However, the man-made beach is not suitable for swimming, snorkeling or surfing.

There is a large grassy area with soccer, baseball, softball and cricket fields, tennis courts, a pavilion and restrooms. On weekends, the park is often used for family gatherings since it's a good place to barbecue. When outrigger canoe races take place here, many paddlers as well as spectators come to the park.

Even though the beach park is located on a major highway, the views toward neighboring Sand Island and the city are good. And since the park is located right next to the airport, you can see many planes take off and land from up close.

Located within Ke'ehi Lagoon are several tiny islands. One of them is Mokauea Island. Encompassing a mere 10 acres, this tiny spit of land is the site of Oahu's last Hawaiian fishing village (and one of two left in the entire state of Hawaii). The non-profit organization Ho'ola Mokauea has been working to environmentally and culturally restore Mokauea Island.

Key Features

Urban lagoon park next to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport
Protected lagoon water used by canoe clubs, kayakers and boaters
Not a classic sandy swimming beach
Open park space for picnics, sports and weekend gatherings
Views of airport runways, Sand Island, Honolulu Harbor and city scenery
Canoe practices and regattas may take place on the lagoon
Parking is available inside the park
Close to Nimitz Highway and Lagoon Drive
Good for paddling activity, plane watching, picnics and open-space recreation
Check signs and stay clear of active canoe lanes and boat areas

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Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Ke'ehi Lagoon different from most Oahu beach parks?

Ke'ehi Lagoon has a working urban setting next to the airport, harbor and canoe facilities. The park is more about paddling, sports fields, picnics and lagoon views than a sandy swimming beach.

Why are there so many outrigger canoes at Ke'ehi Lagoon?

The protected lagoon water makes this area a long-time practice and race setting for canoe clubs. On some days you may see crews training or preparing for regattas on the lagoon.

Can you watch planes from Ke'ehi Lagoon Beach Park?

Yes. Because the park is next to the airport, planes are part of the scene. You get lagoon water, canoe activity, city views and aircraft overhead in one very urban Honolulu setting.

How is Ke'ehi Lagoon different from Sand Island Beach Park?

Ke'ehi Lagoon is closer to the airport side and has more canoe and paddling activity, while Sand Island Beach Park is closer to Honolulu Harbor and has a different harborfront park setting.

What does Ke'ehi mean?

Ke'ehi is a traditional place name for this Honolulu lagoon area. Today the name is closely connected with paddling, harbor activity, airport views and the protected lagoon along the south coast of Oahu.