The Underrated Hike of Kawela Bay

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Kawela Bay - January 2, 2014


First hike of the New Year got me doing a shoreline hike. Daniel did this hike multiple times and invited me on this day to do something I’ve always wanted to do, a shoreline hike. I don’t remember doing a shoreline hike before. I think the closest I’ve done is the Rock Bridge.


Today was a real shoreline hike in the Kahuku area at Turtle Bay. I picked Daniel up at his house and drove to the Turtle Bay parking lot, we took a path that led us to the beach just left of the hotel. I wanted to take some nice pictures, but was struggling to get things going. Things weren’t going right today.


Its a beautiful area! It also provides a different type of hiking experience. Walking on the sand and rocks, listening to the waves. No wonder a lot of relaxation music has sounds of the waves, running water, and singing birds. The human race has been conditioned to relax under those sounds.


After about 40 minute leisurely walking, we arrived at a pillbox and took a break admiring some nice sets of waves. We rounded the corner and got to Kawela Bay. Daniel feels that this bay is really underrated. It ranks up there, not as picturesque as Kahana and Hanauma, but maybe one tier lower. The quietness of the area is what would attract anyone tourist and locals.


algae creating a work of art


uninspiring foot traffic


Daniel showed me a shortcut to the bay via a path that led to the highway near the Kahuku Farms veggie and fruit stand. After that, we followed a path that led us back to Turtle Bay. A good short hike to start off 2014!

view inside pillbox

Kawela Bay

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