Snorkeling and Enjoying Ho'okena

Ho’okena

Ho'okena Beach Looking South

    If you had continued on Hwy 11 past old Napo'opo'o Road, it would have rolled through six miles of rural south Kona before arriving at the interection of the new road down to City and the Painted Church.  If you continue another few miles you will see the turn for Hookena Beach Park.   An even steeper, windier road takes you down to the beach.  Turn left into the large parking lot or park at the end of the road by the picnic structure.

Mom, Toddler and Auntie enjoy the Ho'okena Tidepool.

   Facilities have always been good here.  There are solar powered warm showers, restrooms and tables in the shade.  At times there has been tension between the local people and the tourists.  This is much less an issue currently, but come with the attitude that you are going to be relaxed, friendly and not provocative.

    There are camping facilities here which can be reserved through an office in Hilo.  In addition to us hau'olis, its not unusual to meet folks from Denmark, Holland and Germany camping on the beach.  There is a concession that rents stuff  (like tents) and sells food, towels and t-shirts. 

 

Ho'okena is a great beach for kids to play in the surf.

   And the beach is great!  Here we find a strand of 100 yards of fine black and white mixed sand, which can be extremely warm on your feet!  Walk on the wet sand to the far end of the beach.  (consider taking your sandals for the return trip or be prepared to dash to the showers.)

Enter at the far end…there are submerged rocks right up to that point and if conditions are rough, be cautious.   If you can’t see the bottom, walk in slowly to avoid falling on a rock.  If it is completely calm, this is easy.  If not, put on your mask and work your way through the breakers holding your fins.  Once clear, put on your fins.

Gilded Triggerfish, Ho'okena April 2011

  Once you are in the water, the direction you take will depend on what’s going on.  Dolphins swim here about as frequently as at City.  They swim in the area enclosed by the curving lava point to the south.  If they are there, you will see them and  some accompanying swimmers.  It might be a 150 yard swim, but so worth it!   There is a small amount of shallow lovely coral about 40 yards to the left of where you enter.
  

The Gilded Triggerfish says, "Come to Ho'okena!"

    If the dolphins are not present, we usually swim out about 30 yards and turn right.   We swim the length of the beach over a depth of 30 feet and then turn towards the beach, swimming by the south edge of the old boat landing.   We return south over shallow coral.   You will encounter coral pinacles, the old boat landing and some very good fish.  The deeper water is a dependable place for Gilded Triggerfish, which is rare elsewhere.  We have seen Potter's and Flame Angelfish nesting in a coral head seaward of the ruined landing.  Bridled Triggerfish, another rare species, is fairly regular here.
  
   Back ashore, there is some acceptable tide pooling north of the park, good for warming up after the swim.  The picnic tables are in the shade of a spreading banyan tree.

.  Invariably we meet some interesting people here.  this is much different than the City of Refuge where one encounters a nice mix of tourists, similar to yourself.  At Ho'kena we encounter some real characters, some locals and some friendly Hawaiians.    So take your picnic and your book.  Leave your existential anxieties at home and make friends with the local folks.  Hang out and enjoy Ho’okena .

We always meet someone fun at Ho'okena. 
This nice man gave me a beer glass from Germany!

Beach Pictures by Sandra
 

                                                                                                                                ©  Jeffrey Hill  2011


                                                                                                                          

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