Pine Trees...Camping With Stilts

    Pine Trees is well known to those of us who live in Kailua Kona, if only by name.  Since time immemorial it has been one of the renowned surf breaks here in the land of King Kamehameha.  While Pine Trees is a little out of town, the other two, Kona Bali Kai and Lyman's are one mile straight down the hill from Casa Ono.  In fact, one of the criteria we use when deciding if it is a good day for snorkeling is to look down on the latter from our lanai.; if there are a bunch of surfers at Lyman's, maybe it isn't such a hot day for snorkeling.   

   But what about Pine Trees?  Pine Trees is north of town.  Turn left on Hulikoa, one light past Hina Lani, where one might look for Costco.  If you turn right on Hulikoa you can head for the Pine Trees Cafe.  Like forever, one turned left and headed for Pine Trees. 

Kohanaiki Beach, aka Pine Trees

    As I don't surf, there was little reason in the past for me to risk the undeveloped road that led to the surfing beach.  (For those unfamiliar with surfing on the Big Island, a surfing beach is not a sandy beach.  At best it is rough gravel, but it might be boulders .  What's important is the surf break.)  So I remained  blissfully ignorant of the change that had taken place in access until my new Occupational Therapy Director, Jyness Jones, reported that about a month ago  she had gone camping there with her family.  A little internet investigation revealed that things had changed dramatically. One now drives about a mile on a paved road to a park that extends along the beach for at least half a mile.  

     After about a mile, one has a choice.  A left turn would take you to an exclusive new resort named the Kohanaiki Private Club Community.   There is a gate house with a nice man who probably has an arsenal  under his desk and no intention whatsoever of letting you in to look around.  

Hawaiian Stilt, Kohanaiki Beach, photo Chuck Hill

  The average Kimo is encouraged to drive ahead on a new road with multiple speed bumps and marked Kohanaiki Beach Park.  This is much different from years ago.  Before the resort community arrived, there was a post and wire gate and a sandy road that wound down about half a mile to the surfing beach known as Pine Trees.

     A decade ago, the development company was hoping to extend the private club community to the shore.  One saw signs around town to "Save Pine Trees!"  The state stepped in and acquired the beach for 6.7 mil, the negotiations that led to this transfer are not readily available.  Starting in 2014 the state began work on this modern facility.   

   If one is knowledgeable, one can find an unimproved sandy road to the north near the park entrance leading to O'oma Beach.  This is also now owned by the state and may, in fact, be the original Pine Trees surfing beach.  Camping here may be unregulated.

     We went exploring during a recent visit from my son.   We didn't see any inviting sandy beaches and no numbered camping sites.   In fact, camping is on a first come, first serve basis and you select the spot in which you intend to camp.  apparently any old spot is permitted.  You can acquire a reservation to camp on the internet for a nominal fee.  Then print your receipt and present it to the attendant at the gate. 

Its da stilt. photo Chuck Hill

    Once we were in the park, we saw several signs admonishing us not to bother the Rare Hawaiian Black Neck Stilt.  It is my impression that this is the same species that occurs in the lower 48 and that it is not especially rare in Hawaii. We parked at the very end of the road,  and after walking on the rocky beach, we crossed inland where there is an open kiosk and a large pond.  There we found a pair of stilts and one loner.  My son Charles took the pictures you see with his cell phone.  

    If one has the urge to camp at the beach, albeit one where you might not swim on a sandy beach, you should check out Pine Trees.  And if you need a look at the stilts to get them on your bird list, you could hardly ask for an easier opportunity.

jeff