"According to legend, Kauiki Head, the landmark at the right end of Hana Bay, is named for an adopted son of the Menehune, the "little people" of Hawaiian lore. Kauiki had come to the Menehune on a wave, as a gift of the ocean. He grew to be a fine young man, who unfortunately fell in love with Noenoe, the daughter of the demigod Maui. Maui forbade the union, and when the lovers defied him, he turned Kauiki into the hill, and Noenoe into the mist that comes to caress the hill each day."

Fortunately, the atmosphere at Hana Beach is happy and playful despite this forlorn love story.

This beach is definitely one for families. Hana Bay is protected from the majority of waves, which makes for the calmest and safest swimming in the area. There is plenty of soft sand for playing and lounging, as well as a large flat grassy area for running around.

Picnic tables are plentiful, and there are some grills available and pavilions in case it rains. If you don’t feel like bringing or cooking your own food, Hana Beach Park is also the location of Tutu’s, a snack window with hamburgers, french fries, ice cream, and other fast food. But at $3 for a hamburger, the prices at Tutu’s are some of the best in town, and you don’t even have to leave the beach!

Other amenities include public restrooms, showers and foot washes, plenty of parking, and kayak rentals provided by the Hotel Hana-Maui. As I spent more time in Hana, I discovered that Hana Beach Park is also a meeting place for some community activities. The Hana Canoe Club meets on Sundays at 10am, and Monday-Wednesday-Friday at 4:30pm. The Club has six-person outrigger canoes that they paddle as far as the big island! Members would be happy to answer questions and they may even invite you to take a paddle if you happen to see them!

Recently, Hana was lucky enough to get a free concert played for them in the community room at Hana Beach Park. The musicians were Terrance Simien and his zydeco band. The evening started with a cajun dinner ($7 plate dinner to benefit the senior center) and then the dancing started! There was such a great turnout (live music is rare in Hana) that the dancefloor was jam packed – all those Hana hips were shaking, shaking, shaking to those cajun rhythms!

Finally, another great thing about Hana Beach Park is that is within easy walking distance to many other Hana destinations: Hana Ranch Store, Hasegawas, post office, bank, Hotel Hana-Maui, Red Sand Beach, and Hana Cultural Center, just to name a few. Enjoy all of Hana from one central location!

When I am at Hamoa, it seems all of my senses are at ease. As I look around, my eyes take everything in. Below me is shining golden sand, clean and beautiful. Above me, there is nothing but blue sky. I try to focus on the waves in front of me, but they are ever-moving and ever-changing. Blue, then greenish, a spot of gray, then blue again. White tops on some of them, round ripples on others. In the water are specks of brightly colored surfboards, boogieboards, and swimming suits. To my right and left, black lava rock arms with bright green trees on top reach out to the ocean. Behind me, white lounge chairs with big green umbrellas are provided by the Hotel Hana-Maui for their guests who are brought over during the day by van. There is also an equipment rental window.

At first when I listen, the sound of the waves seems to dominate Hamoa Beach. But when I fine-tune my ears, I hear so much more. I hear laughter – of children playing in the sand, and also of my friend BIB (Bad Idea Bessie) as she tries to teach one of our friends to play "Monkey on my Back" which is a game she just made up in order to get a ride with him on the one boogie board that we all share. Her laugh makes me laugh.

I close my eyes and breath in deeply the ocean air. I smell the sweet salty air and relax even more. I also smell kiwi – oh! that is my sunscreen – a MUST when spending time at the beach. One thing I don’t smell is food cooking. There is no snack counter at Hamoa, so bring your own lunch and beverages. But I am itching to taste something other than my stale pretzels. If I am lucky, the fruit stand at the road is open, and sometimes they even have Shave Ice! My taste buds shiver in anticipation!

After devouring my fruity treat, I sink back down into the hot soft sand. I feel the sun on my back and the breeze on my neck, and I snooze to the comforting sounds and smells. When I wake, I stand up and run and jump into the water! The temperature is perfect – not too hot or too cold. I bob over some waves, and duck under others. I beg a turn on our boogie board. Afterward, I use the public shower (there is also a public restroom) – I have sand in places I didn’t know that I had! – before heading home.