Hana Beach Park is located on Hana Bay, just north of Kauiki Head, a prominent landmark in Hana. Rita Ariyoshi, in her book Maui on My Mind, tells the story of Kauiki Head:
"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!