The Mauna Lani Great for Kids!

The  Petroglyphs.  Is this guy the quaterback?

The Mauna Lani   

Great for kids!

    This famous resort is more welcoming than the stuffy Mauna Kea.  There are several things worth knowing about this complex. 
    First, if you drive north from the traffic circle, towards the Orchid, you will come to a parking area with a great beachside picnic area by the sea.  From here you will find the trailhead to the Puako petroglyphs, less that a mile walk on a dirt trail.  These are absolutely authentic; the product of pre-historic Hawaiian culture!  Something every person interested in ancient cultures should seek out.  Its only a 15 minute "hike", but  go early to avoid the heat. 
    There is a shopping area with a good art gallery and a grocery store.  Mongo likes art galleries and grocery stores.
  Back at the  roundabout follow the signs south to 49 Black Sand Beach.   You must get a beach pass, but this has not been a problem for us yet.  Park near the tennis courts where you will find restrooms but no shower.  Walk about 50 yards to the bluff overlooking Honakaope Bay.  Note the primitive shower on the bluff.  Below is a strand of fifty yards of true black sand.  Pretty cool if you've never seen black sand before! The water is fairly clear and the fish pretty good.  The bay itself is an old crater and sheltered from the open ocean. It is a safe place to turn the keikis loose for a romp on the beach.  The drive through the Mauna Lani links is OK, too.  (Major golf tournaments are held on this course every year!)
    If you go all the way to the hotel, the grounds are quite lovely with a dressed up fish pond.  It is about half a

The author and Andrew at the Mauna Lani Fishponds

 mile to walk south to the Mauna Lani Beach Club.  Along the way note the outrigger canoe in its little house and the authentic fish ponds, arguably the best you will see anywhere.  The Hawaiians employed these fishponds for aquaculture way before us hau'olies thought of it.   At the beach club you will find a fancy café, showers, spotless restrooms  and a protected beach with loungers.  The management will not chase you off

Why not see a gorgeous Saddleback Butterflyfish at the Mauna Lani?

 the loungers like they might elsewhere (MK).   The water is often fairly clear, usually flat without current and the fish are pretty good.  And the beach is soft white sand ideal for digging if you were successful in getting your keiki to make the walk.
   Lots of options here and the staff is friendly.





               ©  Jeffrey Hill  2011