It sounds ridiculous that arguably the best beach in Hawaii (at least to us) has been without fresh water since October 2022. How could that have been allowed to happen on the Big Island? To add insult to injury, you still have to pay $10 for parking and $5 for each person entering Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area.
Why can’t the problems at Hapuna Beach get fixed?
Starting last October, the state shut off the water lines at Hapuna Beach, and thus far, the problem has not been resolved in spite of the state’s website saying that they would at long last have a temporary solution.
The water system at Hapuna Beach has been leaking for years and got to a point where the state had no choice but to turn it off. An interim solution was proposed. This would be above-ground piping that would serve bathrooms and showers until the trenching and other work could be completed to allow normal underground water flow.
In addition, there have been vendor-maintained portable toilets in place since last fall. Those are problematic, especially with heavy summer use.
Repair costs of $135,000 seem small in relation to visitor fees.
The state website indicates a repair cost of $135K to date, although it isn’t clear if that is how much has been spent or will be spent in total. We very conservatively project that Hapuna receives $30K monthly in visitor fees or perhaps far more. That’s based on every two visitors who arrive together spending a total off $20 per visit for parking and entrance fees.
The new underground water system is still listed on the state’s website, indicating that the permanent fix for Hapuna Beach is set to be completed by April 2024. But given that a temporary solution isn’t yet achieved, we fear this may go on far longer.
Hapuna Beach ranked #1 beach in the USA in 2021
Hapuna has been at the top of many lists for years. This favorite beach is remotely positioned on the Big Island’s Kohala Coast, fronting the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort. It is renowned for consistently good beach activities like swimming, surfing, paddleboarding, sunbathing, snorkeling, and more. Walk to the north end to find Turtle Cove, where Hawaiian green sea turtles will likely be seen.
What makes Hapuna Beach so great?
Deliciously inviting white sand. The beach is wide and covers a distance of one-half mile. So even while it is popular and can get crowded, there is always room to stretch out and relax.
Incredibly clear, turquoise blue water. Perfect for swimming (a favorite activity at Beat of Hawaii), snorkeling, and generally all other water activities you can imagine. Entering the water is gentle and easy, making it a favorite for all ages. The Kohala coastline is among the best places for accessible beaches.
Beautiful and stunning landscape. The feeling you get when you step out to the water’s edge is magical and enduring. There’s lush greenery as well as Big Island lava rock. It doesn’t get more beautiful than this! Enjoy walks along the beautiful shoreline too.
The facilities have always been okay, albeit lackluster in a typical State of Hawaii way. There’s a large parking lot, and in the past, working showers, restrooms, and picnic facilities. A lifeguard is on duty.
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I love this beach! Been visiting since the late 90s and have
competed in all the triathlons that began there but no longer do (unfortunately moved to the Fairmont Orchid cove). Hope the facilities get an upgrade before my return in 2024.
The water service at Hapuna has been restored.
Shut down the beach. Stop the ability to park. See how long it takes them when the $5/person $10/car stops coming in and filling their pockets.
This is sad. The $ spent by tourists and the state can’t fix the water problem. They don’t want to, it’s not that they can’t. Hawaii is so disappointing the lack of care and concern for its infrastructure, roads, closed down restaurants, housing/rental prices. Someone is pocketing the money.
It makes you wonder whose pocket is all this money going into?
Hapuna Beach is one of my favorites but I have to say the lack of water and the new cost is making it difficult to go. I went for the first time in a couple of years last December and was very disappointed between the last of water and the cost. I was back on that island in February and did not go to Hapuna. It’s not worth the ridiculous price.
I can’t believe why people would still consider traveling to Hawaii when local people clearly resent tourists and routinely discriminate against them by nickel and diming them at each and every attraction with exorbitant fees. There are better places in the Pacific. Hawaii is no longer what it was in the 80’s.
There is no entry fee to go to Hapuna beach. Not sure where you got your info but it is not true. We go there all the time for 20 years and never has there been a fee for the beach. Non residents pay parking but no fee.
Hi Kim.
Hawaii State Parks says otherwise. https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/hawaii/hapuna-beach-state-recreation-area/.
Aloha.
The Park site may “say” it, but when we went there in mid-March, the entrance booth looked abandoned. We paid nothing while not evading anyone.
It is really a shame that the State has taken no effective action to remedy this problem. What are they waiting for?With visitors paying to use the beach it is a source of income.
Still love the beach, but the “curb appeal” has been lost. Seems to me that $$$ should be made available to repair the facilities to this beautiful gem on the Big Island.
Terrible. Fix it!!
Terrible. Fix it!!
It is curious? We have been going to Hawaii for 40 years and repairs
and maintenance problems and construction improvements seem
to take years. My wife and joke about the modest improvements
to the bridge over the Wailua River in Kauai which they have been working on for over 10 years.
Aloha. We went to Hapuna once and turned around and left after seeing the sign saying unexploded ordnance may be present. I believe it was only $5 to park back then. Manini’owali Beach is our favorite on the island.
Aloha, wow all they ever do is talk -talk!! Same -same for years ..it’s da*n ridiculous and above all it is Extremely Insulting that the city account can’t cover the cost ? .. but believe you me if pressure was involved to force the city and all its grabby hands by all of us..repairs would begin almost immediately
This embodies everyone’s protest about the extremely high taxes and beach fees. Where does the money go when it is supposedly designated to support the beach? Why aren’t the people living in Hawaii demanding accountability? They may not pay beach fees, but they do pay taxes.
Aloha…I find the waves and current to be less inviting at Hapuna (add that to the other issues…). So I much prefer Spencer beach to the north (no lifeguard at the station last time) or A-bay to he south. Not great for snorkeling however.
I hate to have to say it, but this fresh water problem ‘smells’. $135K to fix it???! That’s peanuts! With all the money the comes into the state, I can’t fathom why this situation has not been fixed. I don’t suppose that Westin has anything to with it, blocking the ‘public’ access? The HTA has tens of millions to spend on promoting HI, how about a little for this beautiful beach? Sounds like a little ‘graft’ is involved here. Someone is holding up this project. Calls for an investigation; maybe that would ‘motivate’ the HI island authorities to move on this.
Question, it’s a State Beach Park so why does Hawaii County have to pay for lifeguards?
Who’s running the nut house?
Water issue should have been fixed immediately! But Hawaii takes years to get anything done but studying the problem taken years and Millions of dollars!
Stupidity #1
The water problem at Hapuna should have been totally fixed in 3 months under an emergency contract. Hawaii should have contractors on call for a verify of different task. The contracts are pre bid so they are ready to go when needed. Limit per contract is $350K!
Having this beautiful beach in this condition is unforgivable! And the daily charge is to expensive. $15 per vehicle and passengers is more than enough.
Aloha Beat of Hawaii. This, like every article you write, is spot on. It’s crystal clear that math isn’t something that matters to our beautiful State. (Nothing new here)
I’m hoping things will change at some point. Alas, hope springs eternal.
I want to tell you that I find your verbiage to be outstanding.
“… deliciously inviting white sand…” is my new favorite!
It’s got me singing the tune from C&H sugar, when all of it was produced in Hawai’i and shipped to California for shipping.
Sing along with me.
Once again, you’re amazing.
Mahalo for being you.
Hi Pam.
The three of us editors just shared your comment and we all loved it. The C&H song! Thank you!!
Aloha.
Hi BOH,
Hapuna Beach is very nice, but we prefer Mauna Kea Beach. I personally can’t get enough of the coastal trail up to Spencer Beach. Hope these issues get resolved quickly.
I thought all beaches I Hawaii were public. How can they charge an entry fee?
There should only be a charge for parking your car $10, but the
$5/person beach fee is Ridiculous! Especially since there’s no fresh water on site during the repair work & construction.
Times have changed. I heard Maui does that too and you need to make reservations in advance for the beach. Glad I went to the Islands before all these new laws took place. It’s sad to see these changes
I was there last week, no freshwater, no bathrooms, and no entry fee. Free parking and free entry. Good lifeguard coverage, turtles swimming by, beautiful beach