Exploring the Incredible Kohala Coast: Samuel Spencer Beach County Park and Mau’umae Beach

by Donald B. MacGowan

Camping at Spencer Beach Park, Kohala Hawaii: Graphic Photo by Donald B MacGowan

There are many wondrous, enigmatic and fascinating attractions on the Big Island of Hawaii, some better known than others, many out of the way and generally off the beaten track.  Tour Guide Hawaii has produced an encyclopedic collection of the most up-to-date information, presented as short GPS-cued videos, in an app downloadable to iPhone and iPod Touch that covers the entire Big Island, highlighting the popular and the uncrowded, the famous and the secluded, the adventurous and the relaxing.

Samuel Spencer Beach County Park and Mau’umae Beach

Spencer Beach Park has a lovely, fine sand beach, Kohala Hawaii: Photo by Donald B MacGowan

Camping, picnicking, snorkeling and hiking, Samuel Spencer Beach Park is the perfect headquarters for exploring the Kohala Coast. It is also a great place to take children, or those who are not used to swimming in the open ocean, swimming.

Although a tad murky for ideal snorkeling, Spencer Beach Park is a wonderful beach for playing on and swimming, Kohala Hawaii: Photo by Donald B MacGowan

The swimming is very protected and calm, even in the highest of surf, although the water is a little murky for snorkeling. The famous, storied Pu’ukohola Heiau, the largest stone structure in Polynesia, is within walking distance of the park. For more information about Pu’ukohola National Historic Park, please go here.

Pu'ukohola in the sunset, Kohala Coast Hawaii: Photo by Donald B MacGowan

The Hawaiian name for the beach is ʻŌhai ʻula, but it was renamed to honor Samuel M. Spencer, a Hawaii County Judge, postmaster and one time Director of the Hawaii County.  Board of Supervisors. Of interest, the beach is the terminus of one section of the Southern Cross Submarine Communications cable that links the Big Island with the rest of the world.

The campground at Spencer Beach Park has room for literally dozens of tents, Kohala Hawaii: Photo by Donald B MacGowan

Entrance to Spencer Beach Park is at the same turn-off from the Akoni Pule Highway (Highway 270) as Pu’ukohola National Historic Park, between the 2 and 3 mile marker.

Children play along the shoreline at Spencer Beach Park, Kohala Hawaii: Photo by Donald B MacGowan

Facilities at Spencer Beach Park include a large pavilion (with electrical outlets), restrooms, drinking water, picnic tables, barbecues, beach volleyball, basketball and camping (by permit). Lifeguards are present everyday except state holidays.

Mau'umae Beach near Spencer Beach Park, Kohala Hawaii: Photo by Donald B MacGowan

The Ala Kahakai Trail goes about 3 miles south from Spencer to Hapuna Beach and makes a lovely hike. About 10 minutes along the trail from Spencer Beach Park, it passes across Mau’umae Beach. If you are looking to tan-in those pesky bikini lines, Mau’umae Beach is a little known gem that is secluded and private and sometimes frequented by the “clothing optional crowd”. The swimming is great, but the water is a little cloudy for snorkeling.

The Ala Kahakai Trail to Mau'umae Beach from Spencer Beach Park, Kohala, Hawaii: Photo by Donald B MacGowan

You can also reach Mau’umae Beach by stopping at the entrance to the Mauna Kea Resort to obtain a pass to drive across resort property and follow the Mauna Kea Resort Road through the entrance. At the third intersection turn right on Kamahoi Road, cross 2 wooden bridges and park at pole # 22. Walk 5 minutes (turn left at the water) to the beach. There are no facilities at Mau’umae, but it is immediately adjacent to the Mauna Kea Resort and only a 10 minute walk from the facilities at Spencer Beach State Park.

Mauna Kea Rises over Spencer Beach Park, Kohala Hawaii: Photo by Donald B MacGowan

To see the new iPhone/iPod Touch App, please visit http://www.tourguidehawaii.com/iphone.html. The best of Tour Guide Hawaii’s free content about traveling to, and exploring, the Big island, can be found here.For more information on traveling to Hawaii in general and on touring the Big Island in particular, please also visit www.tourguidehawaii.com and www.tourguidehawaii.blogspot.com.

Tangled dryland jungle at Spencer Beach Park: Graphic from Photo by Donald B MacGowan

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All media copyright 2010 by Donald B. MacGowan. All rights reserved.

Pu'ukohola Sunset: Graphic from Photo by Donald B MacGowan