Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii
This half-moon-shaped, gray-sand beach (a mix of coral and lava)
in a truly tropical setting is a favorite among sunbathers, snorkelers,
and body surfers in Hana. The 100-foot-wide beach is about 900 feet long
and sits below 30-foot, black-lava sea cliffs. An unprotected beach open
to the ocean, Hamoa is often swept by powerful rip currents. The surf
breaks offshore and rolls in, making this a popular surfing and bodysurfing area.
The calm left side is best for snorkeling in the summer.
Hamoa is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and it's far away enough
from the masses that it rarely gets crowded.
It’s an adventure just to reach this beach on Maui’s eastern shore via the
Road to Hana, one of America’s great road trips. Take it slow to
the jaw-dropping views, treacherous curves and one-way bridges.
Your reward: this crescent beach with its mixture of coral
and lava sand, in a volcanic crater and surrounded by palms and lush,
flowering plants. Hamoa Beach is approximately 1,000 feet in length and just
over 100 feet wide. There are plenty of trees
and lush vegetation giving the beach plenty of shade. Hamoa Beach has sea cliffs
surrounding it. There are restrooms and showers.
In the 16th century Hamoa was a village area just outside of Hana.
This arid flatland was unsuitable for taro cultivation, and the people of
Hamoa where known to have built huts 2 miles inland to live in during taro planting
which they did in the valley above. While planting they subsisted on shrimp that
was mashed and stored in gourds. This area was also the sight of several fish ponds
and the surf here, known as the waves of Puhele, was reserved for royalty until
the daughter of a Hana chief lifted the restrictions by surfing it herself.
On the far side of Hamoa where it is said the bones of the fire goddess
Pele are buried, and this is located within the preserve that
Oprah established with Hana Ranch.
It is no wonder why so many celebrities have bought property in the Hana area.
It's remoteness and the kindness of the people of Hana has brought out the
likes of George Harrison, Chris Christoferson, Pat Benetar
and Jim Nieghbors to name a few, who have made Hana their home.