Waiʻanapanapa State Park

Waiʻanapanapa State Park
Black Sand Beach (informally)
Panoramic view of Wai'anapanapa State Park
Show map of Maui Show map of Hawaii
Location	Hawaii, U.S.
Nearest city	Hana, Hawaii
Coordinates	20°47′8.93″N 155°59′8.35″W[1]
Area	122 acres (49 ha)
Governing body	Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources

Florals at the Wai'anapanapa State Park in Hana, Maui, Hawaii.

Waianapanapa black sand beach with a Lava tube on Maui, Hawaii

Waianapanapa State Park on Maui, Hawaii

Waiʻanapanapa State Park is a 122-acre (0.49 km^2) state park in Hana, on the island of Maui, in Hawaii. It is located at the end of Waiʻanapanapa Road off Hana Highway at mile marker 32, 53 miles (85 km) east of Kahului, Maui. Waiʻanapanapa means "glistening fresh water" in the Hawaiian language, referring to nearby fresh water streams and sparkling pools.[2] The camp offers camping facilities, including a small lawn where campers may pitch a tent, and a public bathroom nearby.

Tide pools at the park turn red several times of a year. Scientists state that it is due to the arrival of small shrimp, however local folklore says it is the blood of Popoaleae, a mythical princess who was murdered in a nearby lava tube by her husband, Chief Ka'akea.

Natural features

The black volcanic sand beach is a highlight at this state park in Maui, Hawaii, but there's plenty more to see, including freshwater caves, water tubes, anchialine pools, and a natural stone arch. Wildlife is abundant, and on any given day you might see an incredible seabird colony or watch the park's tide pools turn crimson with the arrival of thousands of tiny shrimp.
— National Geographic[3]

Waiʻanapanapa State Park's natural features include:[4]

• seabird colonies
• anchialine pools
• native hala (Pandanus tectorius)
• coastal mesic forests
• lava tubes
• heiau (religious temples)
• a natural arch
• sea stacks
• blowholes
• a small black sand beach.

See also

Views of Wai'anapanapa State Park

A painting of the black sand beach by Byron Randall

Black sand beach

Crashing wave and vegetation

• List of Hawaii state parks

References

1. "Wai'anapanapa State Park". Hawaii State Parks web site. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
2. "Wai'anapanapa State Park". Hawaii Travel Guide.
3. "Waianapanapa State Park, Hawaii". National Geographic. Archived from the original on February 15, 2019. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
4. Hawaii state parks.org

External links

• Waiʻānapanapa State Park at Hawaii.gov
• Hawaii State Parks: Official Waiʻānapanapa State Park website