Kualoa Regional Park

Kualoa Regional Park is a scenic windward Oahu park with Mokoli'i Island views, calm bay water, camping, picnic areas and Ko'olau mountain scenery.

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Kualoa Regional Park, Oahu

Oahu may be busy in many places, but it also has its share of calm, peaceful beaches. If you're looking to sit back and relax, a trip to Kualoa Regional Park may be just the break you need. It is located just off Kamehameha Highway, but since the park has a large grassy area, you can't hear much highway noise from the beach.

Kualoa means "long ancestral background" in the Hawaiian language, a fitting tribute to the area's history. In old Hawaii, chiefs brought their children here to learn about their heritage and traditions. The park itself was once a sacred town. Today, the park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

One of Kualoa Park's main attractions is the view to nearby Mokoli'i Island. According to an ancient legend, the island is a fluke from the tail of a large dragon. Hi'iaka, sister of the goddess Pele, slew the creature and threw its tail into the bay. Mokoli'i, which means "little lizard," is said to be part of the tail. From the shore, the island looks like a small hat, which has earned it the nickname "Chinaman's Hat."

The island, located about 600 yards offshore, is a kayaking destination. Some people even try to swim to the island during low tide because this is when the water is very shallow. However, swimming here is not a good idea because the current can be unpredictable and high tide can come in sooner than you think. People have drowned here in the past while trying to swim back to shore from the island.

The beach at Kualoa Park is narrow and the nearshore ocean bottom is shallow with some rocky patches, so the swimming isn't that great here. At the south end of the park is a stone barrier, so this is a calmer area for a dip. This is also where two ancient Hawaiian fishponds are located - Moli'i and Apua Fishpond. Kualoa Park is open to campers and has around 30 small campsites. A camping permit is required before staying overnight.

Key Features

Windward Oahu park facing Kane'ohe Bay and Mokoli'i Island
Classic view of Mokoli'i, also known as Chinaman's Hat
Open grassy areas, shade trees, picnic space and camping areas
Camping requires a City and County permit before overnight stays
Calm-looking bay water with reef and tide conditions to check before entering
Kualoa Ranch and Ko'olau mountain cliffs are across Kamehameha Highway
Popular for picnics, photos, kayaking, fishing and family gatherings
Mokoli'i Island is offshore from the park
Weekends, holidays and camping periods can be busy
Located between Kane'ohe and Ka'a'awa on Oahu's windward coast

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Kualoa mean?

Kualoa is often translated as “long back.” The name is connected with the long ridges and mountain shape behind this part of windward Oahu.

Why is Mokoli'i Island called Chinaman's Hat?

Mokoli'i is the small island offshore from Kualoa Regional Park. Its nickname, Chinaman's Hat, comes from the island's cone-like shape, but Mokoli'i is the traditional Hawaiian name and means “little lizard.”

What is the story behind Mokoli'i Island?

One well-known story connects Mokoli'i with Hi'iaka, Pele's sister, who defeated a giant lizard. The island is said to be part of the lizard's tail, which is why the name Mokoli'i means “little lizard.”

How is Kualoa Regional Park different from Kahana Bay Beach Park?

Kualoa has the close-up view of Mokoli'i Island and a broad park setting facing Kane'ohe Bay. Kahana Bay Beach Park feels more enclosed by mountains and has a quieter bay setting farther up the coast.

Why is the area around Kualoa so often used in movies?

The cliffs, open valleys and ocean views around Kualoa create a dramatic backdrop that looks far removed from Honolulu. Kualoa Ranch across the highway is one of Oahu's best-known movie-location areas.