Some of the most interesting hikes on the Hawaiian Islands are shoreline walks.   This one starts at a headland, goes along a beach, climbs another headland, then descends into sand dunes, along cliffs, down through rocky bays, up through ironwood forests, along lithified dunes, along a remote beach, over “hanging” headlands, past pocket beaches, before finishing on lava flows that angle steeply to the ocean.   Along the way, marvel at the power of the sea as giant waves crash into the rocks or break on the reef.  Watch for sea turtles, spinner dolphins or the spouts of humpback whales.   watch your feet because the lava and the sculpted rock is sharp.  Take off your shoes to walk along the beaches in the golden sand.

The Maha’ulepu area starts at the end of the road and ends where the Hoary Head Range meets the sea.   There are some rough backroads that can be driven through the former cane fields to get to the prime beaches, but only a trail follows the shoreline.

Surrounding Keoneloa Bay are two headlands made of lithified sand dunes.  Shipwreck Beach lies in the middle.

There are no homes, resorts, or roads past this point.   The headlands are lithified sand dunes, with lava intrusions.

The pounding surf has carved the rock into fantastic shapes along the way:

Some of the dunes are pa’a, (dry and rocky, but smooth), but the lava is rough and jagged.

After winding over the headlands, the trail skirts the edge of a championship golf course before winding down to some remarkable beaches.   Maha’ulepu Beach is our favorite beach anywhere and we returned her many times.   One day we watched a group of kite surfers riding the waves out past the reef.

Hidden in the dunes area is a giant sinkhole.   The entrance to the sinkhole is a low tunnel that we had to crawl through.  The Makauwahi Sinkhole is actually part of the largest limestone cave system in the Hawaiian Islands.   It was inhabited thousands of years ago and is a heritage site used by archeologists.    A Society has been working to restore the larger area with indigenous species.

The whole area surrounding Maha’ulepu is currently under study with a proposed Protected Area status proposed.  Past the main beach is another beach at Waiopili Bay.   Petroglyphs can be viewed on the rocks above the beach.    The trail climbs over undercut lithified dunes and lava flows.

One final pocket beach, then a final climb over the ridge to the end.

The trail takes hours because it winds along the coast and the surface is uneven.   It is out in the sun for almost the whole way, so bring water and a hat.   Better yet, bring your bathing suit to swim at the beach both ways.