Beach
Ku'ilioloa Heiau- rites performed at the site protected those who traveled by land and sea.
View of Pōkaī Bay Beach from Kū'īlioloa Heiau.
Pokai beach Hawaii
Start of Golden Hour
Near heiau
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Malaea means "calm" or "serene" aka Pokai Bay Beach
New children's playground
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Chillin Undah Da Tent...
Waianae coastline
Alex Y.
Jul 25, 2024
I've been going to Pokai Bay since 1978 when I was 4 years old. Still a magical and amazing place to be alone or have a day either the family.
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Veronica L.
Nov 14, 2023
Nice beach. Es una playa diferente donde puedes disfrutar con la familia lo malo es que se llena muy pronto y tienes que madrugar.
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Dawn Y.
Apr 29, 2021
Love Pokai Bay for paddling in and around the area and surfing if you walk over to Pi'ihau reservation for beginner surf. There is mix of local families-military-snowbirds-tourists-regulars. Everyone keeps to themselves once they set up and it is a great beach for keiki or kupuna to wade or swim in a protected area. Fishermen line the kay and you can see the 'ilio temple at the left end. This was once the site of an Oceania maritime academy so steeped in Wahi Pana. There are showers and bathrooms and plenty of parking. Lastly I like Poka'i because I always see wildlife there: honu, seals, dolphins outside the bay passing by, 'iwa, 'A, red footed booby and the other pidgin mix of mynah zebra doves, Brazilian cardinals, etc. Maybe we were just lucky last year with COViD and we spent more time at the beach than ever.
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Ting A.
Jun 10, 2022
Honestly the beach itself was not that notable. It is a narrow coastal strip with the plus side of hardly any visitors. All the homeless people situated at the parking lot gave off an uncomfortable feeling however.The only saving grace for the rating is that the Kū'īlioloa Heiau provided some goodness. It is the remains of a Hawaiian temple sitting on a small peninsula, although expect seeing just rocks instead of any structural building.The view from this spot is the best for both of the Pōkaī Bay Beach and out into the ocean. We even spotted a monk seal sleeping peacefully on top of all the rocks.
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Clem E.
Dec 7, 2023
Best beach for the family.PROS: Right behind the Waianae Police Station. Ancient Hawaiian Navigator Heiau at the point (Ka'ilioloa), Enclosed and protected bay so calm waters good for keiki. Beach and sand is beautiful. Sunsets are right in your face. Showers close to parking lot so u dont have to"sand walk" back to you car (you know how you walk back to your car funny kine after showering off the sand so you dont get sand in your slippers-thats the "sand walk").CONS: Sometimes plenty house-less occupants. Bay sometimes gets raised levels of pollution in the water after heavy rains or sewage spills. Lock your car doors or don't leave valuables unattended. Bathrooms are sub-par. You may smell Pakalolo (marijuana) burning occasionally. Overall, we frequent this beach a lot. We paddle with the canoe club (Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i) and have become very familiar. This beach has history, and culture, and is a special place for all that grew up on the West side of O'ahu.
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Dave B.
Jun 30, 2020
Not the best part of the island. Not the bestE parking lot. Not the best snorkeling. Overflowing trash cans and random dirty picnic tables make the whole area smell.BUT, it's beautiful! It's in a bay so there are minimal waves and no rip tides. No fish and no reef. But it is great for little kids swimming. Paddle boarding, paddle boats. Most importantly the spinner dolphins come around on a regular basis. Also saw turtles and a monk seal!
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Demond S.
Apr 13, 2022
After picking up some Hawaiian BBQ at L&L Restaurant, I met a local who was also ordering food. They recommended eating at the local beach park 400 ft away from Restaurant. What a great suggestion. Very nice beach park out of the way. There is a little bay you can swim in. I was told, you can see and maybe swim with dolphins in the early AM. There is decent shade and the park does not get to crowded. You see mostly locals there. Worth the visit.
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Amanda C.
May 25, 2022
In the past West side beaches have had a bad reputation for being trashy and full of homeless. It would be wrong and selfish to keep this rumor going but really nice to keep this beach quite and off the lists so that we don't succumb to over crowding. Hands down one of the best and prettiest beaches that is absolutely perfect for snorkeling and ALL the water sport activities you can think of here on Oahu!
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Elisa N.
Jan 1, 2025
I'm sorry but this is not a dog park. Maybe dogs can go to this beach but that doesn't make it a dog park! Where is the designated area for the dogs to run and play that is fenced in? What makes Pokai Beach a dog Park? I just don't see it! This is a beach park that allows dogs and that's it. Don't kid yourself that this is a dog park in any sense of the words. Really!
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Lorie A.
Dec 19, 2024
Great family friendly beach. Water is pretty calm as it's protected by a jetty and there is an amazing view up the little garden hillside; great place for sunset. And we saw Monk Seals & Honu (turtle)
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