Pine Trees Beach

Kohanaiki Beach Park – Better Known as Pine Trees

Pine Trees beach is located about 7 miles north of Kona town. It’s kind of funny how the beach got its name because there aren’t actually any Pine trees. Apparently, someone thought that the mangrove trees behind the beach were Pines and the name just stuck. Upon entering Pines, there is a little shopping center that you can stop by on the Mauka (Mountain Side) of the road. You can grab some Kona coffee at Kona Mountain Coffee and/or stop off for some local grinds at Pine Trees Cafe.

Activities

This is a great beach to go to if you’re into fishing, surfing, BBQing, shell hunting, a little four wheel drive action, and camping. When you enter into Pines head to the left side if you have a smaller vehicle. The left side has a paved road, facilities with running water, Keiki (kid) ponds for the little ones to swim, and the majority of the surfing takes place on this side. If you head to the right of Pines there are no running water facilities, just portable restrooms (bring some water to rinse with or just go to the left side of the beach to clean up afterward). The bonus to this side is that you are able to ramble your trucks right onto the sand.

Pine Trees is one of the only beaches on the west side where you can still put your tires in the sand. This is a dying past time for locals who live here because the beaches are being developed into state parks, private communities and/or have limited access for locals and tourist alike.

Camping at Pines

If you’re interested in camping at Pine Trees be sure to reserve a spot as soon as possible because desirable days and weekends fill up quickly. Open fires are not permitted, but portable gas or charcoal grills ok. There are no tables or benches, so be sure to pack everything you’ll need to be comfortable. And please be sure to leave our beautiful beach the way you found it. Pack all of your trash and do not dump charcoal on our sand. Mahalo! Security guards are on duty 24 hours. Overnight parking passes are required and can be picked up at the guard shack with a valid camping permit.

Continue to Read More about the Cultural Side of Pine Trees

Towards the end of the beach park, there is access to Ala Kahakai (Trail by the Sea). This trail will take you into a historic area with a variety of sites to see. On the trail, you will see a donkey corral, canoe house, fish ponds, petroglyphs, Panana Hoku (Star Compass), and a beautiful garden full of native Hawaiian plants.

Canoe Hale

This Canoe Hale (house), named Ka Hale Wa‘a, is an A-frame structure built in traditional Hawaiian style, using the wood of a  native tree called ‘Ōhia, lava rocks, and thatch made of native Lo‘ulu palm leaves. This canoe hale is used as an education center for local community cultural groups.

Panana Hoku – Star Compass

Ancient Polynesians would navigate by using the stars. Navigators would also use the currents and wave patterns to determine the direction they were heading. Polynesians subdivided the sky into corresponding quadrants.

For more information about Hawaiian Voyage Traditions and Hawaiian Star Compass, click here.

Kalo (Taro)

Taro (Kalo) – Poi is a traditional staple food in Hawaii. Traditionally, Hawaiians cooked the starchy, potato-like taro root several hours in an Emu (underground oven). The poi was then pounded on a large flat board called a papa ku’i’ai, using large stones also known as a pohaku ku’i’ai (Poi Pounder). The Taro was then pounded into a smooth paste (without water) and stored in Ti leaf bundles. Poi is created by slowly adding water to the pa’i’ai, then kneaded to the perfect consistency. You should definitely make a point to try some poi on your next visit to our Island!

This trail was established as a National Historic Trail in 2000 to preserve native Hawaiian culture, plants, and wildlife.

Something for Everyone

Whether you are into surfing, hiking, or camping there is a little bit of everything for everyone at Pine Trees Beach.