Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area, State beach in Kohala, Hawaii.
Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area is a state beach on the western coast of Hawaii Island with about half a mile of sandy shoreline and clear water. The area is bordered by dark lava rock formations on both sides that frame the shoreline naturally.
The park lies along the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, which runs through it from Spencer Beach in the north to Puako in the south. The 61.8-acre (25.0 ha) recreation area was developed as a state park on the Big Island's west coast, and its facilities were renovated between 2017 and 2018 for US$4.2 million. In 1993 and again in 2021 Stephen Leatherman, known as "Dr Beach", named the beach the best in America.
Hāpuna means "spring" or "pool" in Hawaiian. The beach is a county-run recreation area with a summer Junior Lifeguard Program for youths aged 12 to 17; on 29 June 2019 it hosted the Hawaiʻi Island Junior Lifeguard Championships. The Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail crosses the park between Spencer Beach and Puako.
The beach has lifeguards on duty, restrooms, and outdoor showers available for visitors. Conditions change seasonally, particularly during winter months when water and weather patterns shift.
Board surfing is prohibited at Hāpuna, so the winter surf that reaches the bay is ridden only by bodyboarders and bodysurfers. The beach was named Best Beach in America by Stephen Leatherman, known as "Dr Beach", in 1993 and again in 2021.
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