Polihale State Park, Beach park in Kauai County, US.

Polihale State Park is a protected coastal area on Kauai's western shore featuring a 17-mile stretch of sandy beach and large dunes behind the golden sand bordering the Pacific Ocean. The land serves as a habitat management area and nature reserve for the island's ecosystem.

The beach is central to Hawaiian mythology: spirits were said to travel to the coastal plain, stay in the heiau there, then climb the northern cliffs and leap into the sea to reach Po. The name Polihale means "house bosom", from po, the original night or source of creation, and poli, bosom. In December 2008 flooding damaged the facilities and closed the access road; local residents and businesses repaired it themselves in eight days in March 2009, a job estimated at $4 million.

The name Polihale means "house bosom", from po (the original night or source of creation) and poli (bosom), so it refers to the source of life rather than the afterworld. A sea lettuce called pahapaha grows in the waters here; wreaths made from it dry out but revive when soaked, a quality attributed to the goddess Na-maka-o-Kaha'i. Visitors once took these wreaths home to prove they had been to Polihale.

The unpaved access road requires four-wheel drive vehicles and becomes impassable after rain, with rental companies often restricting travel on this route. Check local conditions and vehicle requirements before planning your trip to ensure safe access.

The sea lettuce pahapaha grows in the waters off Polihale; wreaths made from it dry out but revive when soaked in water, a quality attributed to the goddess Na-maka-o-Kaha'i. Visitors once took these wreaths home as proof they had been to Polihale.