South Kohala is a diverse area, ranging from the cowboy country of Waimea to the white sand beaches along the shoreline. It is an area I spend a lot of my time with my kiddos and these are my top "must-do's" with the keiki in the area.
Spencer's beach: Spencer's is my go-to beach when I am juggling the two girls on my own. There are large bathrooms, plenty of picnic tables, a basketball court, and lots of shade. The kids can easily run around and the water at Spencer's beach is shallow, so it makes it an easy entry and exit for the keiki. Camping is allowed at Spencer's Beach with a permit. You can also hike along the Ala Kahakai, a trail system that runs the shoreline of Hawaii, and hike to Mau'umae beach which is in the Mauna Kea resort area. In my opinion, it is a great option for birthday parties, and a weekday beach adventure.
Waimea farmer's market: The farmers' markets in Waimea are a must-do if you are in Waimea town on a Saturday. There are two main ones right in Waimea town, the farmer's market at Parker School and the Pukalani Stables farmer's market. From local meats, cheeses, honey, and veggies (my husband, the farmer, in fact) to diverse food trucks to locally made goods, the farmers market has something for everyone. Visiting the two markets could definitely take up the better portion of your Saturday morning, and it is time well spent.
Anuenue park in Waimea: Rainbow park or in my household, lovingly known as "the big park" is located right across the street from Parker School in downtown Waimea. This park was recently renovated by volunteers in the community and has every type of play toy and climbing apparatus a kid could dream of. There are two sides to the park, one for the younger keiki between the ages f 2-5 and the other side for all ages. It is always a treat to visit this park with my kids, and always a great opportunity to talk story and meet someone new.
Waimea nature park, Ulu La'au: This outdoor area is great for a picnic, rain, or shine. Once pasture land, this 10-acre park has been converted into a large greenspace with planted native trees and plants in addition to well-marked trails along the banks of the Waikoloa stream. There are about 2 miles of trails running throughout the park and it is a dog-friendly space. I enjoy a solo trail running session or a nature scavenger hunt along the trail with the kids.
Wailea Bay: This is my family's go-to beach. Also known as 69s, Wailea Bay is a white sand beach located in the Puako area just south of Hapuna Beach. Unlike Hapuna, this beach has trees along the beach, so shade is easy to find. There are also several "coves" so the beach never feels super busy, as the spots to lay your towel are segmented, which creates privacy. The Ala Kahakai runs through this beach, so you can hike in either direction, either to Puako or towards Hapuna Beach. There is no lifeguard on duty and in winter, there can be a swell, so caution is advised. However, it is a great spot to spend the whole day to snorkel and paddleboard in the summer months or to whale- watch in the winter months.
For more information on living on the South Kohala, reference my neighborhood guide here.
Still have questions about family-fun things to do in the South Kohala area?