The Underrated Beach In Hawaii You Just Might Have All To Yourself
By Megan Shute|Published March 02, 2019
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
While we love Waikiki as much as the next person, it certainly isn’t the best beach in the country or even Hawaii. With hundreds of picturesque beaches across the Hawaiian Islands, it seems silly to stick to the most popular stretches of sand. So, instead of fighting tourists for the best spot on the Aloha State’s most popular beaches, today, we’re headed to an underrated paradise nestled along the Maui coast sure to impress.
Welcome to Kalepolepo Beach, a small but lovely stretch of sand in North Kihei that was once the site of a thriving Hawaiian village in addition to its importance as a cultural archaeological site for native Hawaiians.
Fine white sand and shady trees make this one of the most picturesque beaches around, and we love having a secluded paradise to which we can retreat — even Kamehameha II recognized its beauty.
Ko’ie’ie Fishpond, one of three ancient Hawaiian fishponds in the area, fronts the beach and walls the water off, creating a calm, shallow pool perfect for keiki. It is also one of the most accessible fishponds open to the public today. Ko’ie’ie Fishpond, one of three ancient Hawaiian fishponds in the area, fronts the beach and walls the water off, creating a calm, shallow pool perfect for keiki. It is also one of the most accessible fishponds open to the public today.
The water in the fishpond is not your average saltwater, though: it’s fed by natural springs just below the surface — ancient Hawaiians understood this, and it was for this reason that the fishpond was among the highest class, reserved only for the use of Hawaiian royalty.
Though the beach here is small, it is often uncrowded. With more than a dozen beaches that are the definition of perfection just minutes away, few visitors staying at the resorts further south end up here.
With views of the Maui coastline as well as the vast Pacific Ocean, Kalepolepo Beach is ideal for family picnics and parties, paddling, and beachcombing. Conditions are, however, not ideal for surfing and snorkeling.
Whether you want to steal away for a quiet BBQ with friends (there are several strewn throughout the park) or enjoy a signature Hawaiian sunset in peace, Kalepolepo Beach is the perfect escape for anyone looking to ditch the crowds.
Kalepolepo Beach Park is located at 726 S Kihei Rd., Kihei, HI 96753, and is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Have you ever visited this striking stretch of sand before? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below, then click here to discover another one of our favorite Maui beaches.
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