Weather: ʻAnaehoʻomalu Beach is located on the dry, sunny South Kohala Coast, where clear skies and warm temperatures are typical year-round. Afternoons can get windy, so mornings are best for calm water and softer lighting.
Pack a Day Bag: Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, swimsuit, towel, flip-flops, snorkel gear, beach mat or low chair, a light jacket, and plenty of water. You may also want snacks or lunch if you plan to stay a while.
What to Wear: Light, breathable beachwear and sandals or flip-flops are ideal. Water shoes are optional but helpful if you plan to explore the rocky tidepools or shoreline lava rock.
What to Bring: A cooler with drinks or food is great, though nearby resorts and restaurants at Waikoloa Beach Resort offer additional dining options within walking distance.
Phone Service: Cell reception is strong in this area, including along the beach and walking paths.
Bathrooms: Yes—there are clean public restrooms and outdoor showers available near the main beach access.
Parking: Free public parking is available at the ʻAnaehoʻomalu Bay Beach Access lot near the Waikoloa Beach Marriott. It’s a short walk along a paved path to reach the sand.
Check-In Booth: There’s no check-in required for public beach access. However, if you’re participating in ocean activities or gear rentals, check in at the kiosk near the beach hut.
Photography: Cameras are welcome for non-commercial use. A-Bay is known for its stunning palm-lined shoreline, calm waters, and vibrant sunsets—ideal for portraits and scenic shots.
Accessible for Disability: Yes—the beach has paved pathways, accessible restrooms, and a relatively flat entry point, making it one of the more accessible beaches on the island.
Meaning of the Name
ʻAnaehoʻomalu translates to “the protected mullet (ʻanae) fishpond” in Hawaiian. The name references the traditional fishponds in the area, which were used by Native Hawaiians for sustainable aquaculture. Locals often shorten the name to "A-Bay", but the full name reflects the site’s cultural heritage and importance.
Ancient Hawaiian Fishponds
The beach sits at the edge of a once-thriving coastal village where Hawaiians practiced loko iʻa (fishpond aquaculture). Two restored fishponds—Kuʻualiʻi and Kahāpapa—are still visible just behind the beach. These ingenious systems used stone and lava rock walls to trap fish, allowing for easy harvest and supporting the local community.
The Waiulua (ʻAnaehoʻomalu) ahupuaʻa extended from mountain to sea, providing the people with everything they needed—freshwater, taro, salt, and fish. The beach was part of this interconnected land division that fostered balance and self-sufficiency.
Archeological and Cultural Sites
The area surrounding ʻAnaehoʻomalu is rich with archeological features, including:
Petroglyphs (kī‘i pōhaku) carved into lava rock
House platforms
Trail remnants
Fishing shrines and ceremonial sites
The nearby Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail follows the ancient coastal path once used by Hawaiian communities to travel between villages, fishponds, and heiau (temples).
From Plantation Lands to Resort Development
In the 20th century, this area was used for cattle grazing and plantation agriculture. With the rise of tourism in the 1980s and 1990s, the Waikoloa Beach Resort was developed, bringing hotels, shops, and golf courses to the area while maintaining public beach access at ʻAnaehoʻomalu.
ʻAnaehoʻomalu Today
Today, ʻAnaehoʻomalu Beach is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike, offering:
Calm waters for snorkeling and paddleboarding
Palm-fringed sand perfect for lounging
A front-row seat to breathtaking sunsets
Despite resort development nearby, the presence of fishponds and preserved walking trails ensures that Hawaiian history and traditional practices remain visible and honored.
