Oahu Beaches

Oahu Beaches

OAHU
Oahu has a 287 km of coast physically divided into the North Shore, Windward, South Shore and Leeward coasts. The high energy North Shore has the greatest percentage of beaches (66%), while the reef-fronted Windward coast has the greatest number (55) and length of beaches (52 km). Both the lower energy South Shore and Windward coasts have a third of their shore dominated by sandy beaches, the remainder rock and other types of shoreline. In total Oahu has 176 sandy beaches which occupy 45% of the coast.
Table 1 Oahu coast and beaches

	Coast length (km)	No. Beaches	Beach length (km)	% beaches
North Shore	48	51	32	66
Windward	104	55	52	50
South Shore	90	44	30	33
Leeward	45	26	15	33
Total	287	176	129	45

North Shore

The North Shore of Oahu commences at Kaena Point and extends for 28 km east to Kahuku Point. In between are 48 km of predominately sandy shoreline containing 51 beaches which occupy 32 km or 66% of the shoreline, the remainder dominated by basalt and raised reefs, with beachrock also outcropping along much of the sandy shoreline. The western half extends for 14 km between Kaena Point and Haleiwa and faces due north, while the eastern half faces northwest, finally curving to the north between Kakuku and Kalaeuila points.
Kaena Point to Haleiwa
The first 6 km of shoreline west of Kaena Point is rocky, with the basalt base of the point and backing Waianae Range dominating the shoreline, in addition to sections of raised reefs, beachrock and some higher dunerock. There are three small rocky coves along this section between 2 and 3 km, but no beaches. The road stops 5 km from the point with a rough vehicle track continuing for another 3 km, and only foot access beyond. This section is only used by rock fishers and a few occasional surfers.
A near continuous, though crenulate sandy beach and fringing reef begins just west of Camp Erdman and extends east for 12 km as Mokileia and Puuiki beaches to the rocky boundary of Kaiaka Bay. The crenulations are induced by the continuous fringing reef, with sandy forelands forming in lee of the more extensive reef and embayments in lee of gaps in the reef, with latter usually drained by permanent rips. The reef is initially 100-200 m wide, widening up to 500 m east of Kolea Point. The narrow reef sections permit higher waves to reach the shore and generally maintain steep reflective beaches paralleled by longshore rip feeder currents with usually a strong rip current/s flowing out from the embayed section and through the gap in the reef. The wider reef sections induce great waves attenuation across the reef and lagoon, thereby lowering waves at the shore and resulting in smaller beaches and generally weaker currents. In addition to the reefs and waves beachrock is common along much of the shore and in the intertidal zone.

OAHU 001-007 CAMP ERDMAN-MOKULEIA

No. Beach Rating Type Length

1 Camp Erdman (W) 4 7 R+fringing reef/rip 700 m

2 Camp Erdman (E) 4 7 R+fringing reef/rip 300 m

3 Tiger Point 4 7 R+fringing reef/rip 1200 m

4 Army Beach (W) 4 7 R+fringing reef/rip 400 m

5 Army Beach (E) 4 6 R+fringing reef/rip 1100 m

6 Mokuleia Beach Park 4 6 R+fringing reef/rip 1000 m

7 Mokuleia (E) 4 5 R+fringing reef/rip 900 m

Camp Erdman is a YMCA holiday camp located 7 km from Kaena Point with sandy forelands bordering either end of the camp. Beach O-1 commences 700 m west of the foreland against basalt rocks. It initially trends east for 500 m before curving into a prominent embayment bordered on its eastern side by the first of the forelands. A continuous 100 m wide reef fringes the shore until the embayment, where a permanent rips exits and flows seaward through a gap in the reef. Waves break heavily across the reefs the water flowing shoreward, then longshore towards the embayment, where the feeder currents converge and flow seaward as a strong permanent rip. The beach is steep and soft with patches of beachrock along its base. The swash and backwash increase with wave height, as well as increasing set-up with higher waves. The highway runs right besides the embayment section and provides an excellent view and immediate beach access to the beach. The remainder of the beach is back by a degraded foredune west of the embayment, merging into the basaltic soils, while to the east is the foreland, which is covered in casuarina trees.
Cape Erdman Beach (O-2) is a curving 300 m long steep sandy beach located between two sandy forelands. The forelands are both fronted by 100 m wide fringing reefs, with a prominent 100 m wide gap in the centre, the gap narrowing seaward to 50 m. Waves break heavily across the reefs and flow into the deeper central embayment, where the water then pulses seaward as a strong and permanent rip. The camp building and main car park back the centre of the beach, with the highway 50-100 m to the south.
Tiger Point beach (O-3) commences at the eastern Camp Erdman foreland and trends to the east for 1.2 km to an abrupt inflection in the beach called Tiger Point. The beach is steep and soft, with patches of beachrock along its base and usually a strong swash and backwash. The fringing reef continues east of the foreland for 300 m degrading to the east as the outer reef deepens and patches of shallow inner reef occur just off the beach. This section tends to have a heavy shorebreak and inshore current flowing towards the point. A 100 m long embayment lies immediately west of the point, formed between a western inner reef, and shallow 100 m wide fringing reef off the point. Water draining off both reefs flows into the deep embayment and seaward as a strong permanent rip. This is also the most accessible section of the beach with the highway clipping the rear of the beach and people usually parked or camped on the beach and foreland that forms the point.
Army Beach refers to the former army recreational facility that occupied this section of the shore. The facility was abandoned in 19xx, and today it in an open undeveloped beach, largely backed by a 50-100 m wide section of degraded foredune crisscrossed with vehicle tracks and scattered trees. The Farrington Highway and Dillingham airfield parallel the rear of Army and Mokuleia beaches. The beach contains two sections separated by prominent sandy forelands. The western section (O-4) curves for 400 m east of Tiger Point to the central foreland. It consists of a moderately steep sandy beach fronted by a continuous 150 m wide fringing reef, with a central hole in the reef off the central embayed section. The hole is separated from the shore by a 30 m wide strip of reef. The reefs cause considerable wave attenuation resulting in generally low waves and swash at the shore. The waves however flows longshore towards the embayment and anyone swimming in the hole will be carried seaward in a central rip. The eastern section of the beach (O-5) commences at the sandy foreland and trends east for 1.1 km as a sandy crenulate beach fronted by near continuous 150 m wide fringing reef. Three gaps in the reef however induce three small embayments. The first is a narrow 50 m wide break located 100 m east of the foreland. The gap extends right to the shore where it forms a small embayment with a rip current existing the shore and flowing seaward though the gap to the outer reef. The second lies 600 m further east as the reef narrows to less than 100 m. The narrower reef continues east for another 200 m to the third embayment formed in lee of a prominent deep 50 m wide sandy channel that extends right to the shore. Waves breaking over the reefs to either side feed into the embayment and maintain a strong permanent rip exiting though the northwest trending channel.
Mokuleia Beach Park (O-6) occupies then next 1 km of shoreline. It commences at the boundary foreland and curves gently to the east to the tip of the next foreland at the eastern end of the park. In between is a long embayment located to the lee of a deeper section of reef. Shallower fringing reefs extend 50-100 m seaward of the western side of the beach and up to 300 m seaward of the eastern side. The wider reefs result in heavy wave breaking well off the beach and lower waves at the shore with the steep narrow beach fringed by beachrock. The reef on the eastern side of the channel produces the right hand Mokuleia surf break. The wave generated currents flow shoreward and along both sides of the beach towards the central embayment where they feeds a strong narrow rip flowing out though a northeast-trending channel in the centre of the embayment. The beach park backs the eastern half of the embayment and eastern foreland. This is a popular wind and kite-surfing location. The park provides parking, toilets, water and showers.
The eastern side of Mokuleia Beach (O-7) m commences at the eastern park boundary and trends to the east for 900 m to the beginning of the next embayment. The beach is initially fringed by 300 m wide reef which extends 500 m to the east before narrowing to 100 m off an embayment then continues east for another 200 m to an elongate narrow reef that extends 200 n seaward and forms the eastern boundary. The near continuous reef results in considerable wave attenuation and usually low waves at the shore, which maintain a steep narrow beach fringed by beachrock. Most of the back beach is undeveloped covered by dense stands of casuarina.

OAHU 008-014 KOLWA POINT-PUUIKI BEACH

No. Beach Rating Type Length

8 Kolea Point (W) 3 4 R+fringing reef 1000 m

9 Makaleha Beach 4 6 R+fringing reef/rip 1200 m

10 Crozier Drive (W) 4 5 R+fringing reef 900 m

11 Crozier Drive 4 5 R+fringing reef 1300m

12 Aweoweo Beach Park 4 5 R+fringing reef 800 m

13 Puuiki Beach (W 1) 4 5 R+fringing reef 1500 m
The shore perpendicular reef at 11.6 km, that separates the western from the eastern Mokuleia beach systems, also marks the beginning of a 6 km long section of beaches, most backed by beachfront houses that continue much of the way to Puuiki Beach. The beaches also have a wide fringing reef systems that provides increasing protection to the backing shoreline, resulting in generally low energy sandy beaches usually free of strong currents and rips. The Farrington Highway continues to parallel the coast providing direct access to beaches 008 and 009, with Crozier Drive providing access to beaches 010-014, as the highway runs a few hundred meters inland.
Beach O-8 commences at the edge of the reef and curves round for 1 km in a spiralling embayment to a prominent foreland called Kolea Point. The entire beach and embayment is protected by a reef that extends up to 700 m off the centre of the bay. Waves break over the outer reefs resulting in low waves at the shore and usually only weak wind driven currents at the shore. Beachfront houses occupy much of the bay shore, wedged in between the highway and the beach. A seawall has been constructed along the property boundaries and in places has replaced the steep narrow sandy beach. Waves average less than 0.5 m at the shore and surge up and down the low energy reflective beach.
Makaleha Beach (O-9) is part of an undeveloped beach park. The beach commences at Kolea Point and curves to the east for 1.2 km to the tip of the next sandy foreland. The beach is backed by the Mokuleia Polo Field in the west, the undeveloped Makaleha beach park in the centre, and a horse ranch in the east, with casuarina fringing the entire beach. There is a public access path in the centre next to Makaleha Stream. A scattered fringing reef of variable width parallels the beach. Off the boundary foreland it narrows to 50-100 m, widening to 150-200 m off the centre. In addition a reef parallels the shore along much of the western side of the beach. The reefs produce a series of wave breaks both off and along the shore, as well as associated currents, with a rip commencing at the low energy apex of the embayment and running westward between the inner and outer reef. This area is adjacent to where the public access track reaches the shore.
Beach O-10 is a curving 900 m long north-facing beach located between two sandy forelands, with Crozier Drive terminating behind the centre of the beach. The western half of the beach past Mahinaa St is backed by private land, while beachfront houses back the eastern half of the beach, with no public access. The fringing reef continues to parallel the shore approximately 100 m wide off the foreland with a central gap in the outer reef, which permits waves to break across a 50 wide inner reef. The reefs lower waves at the shore to usually less than 0.5 m where they surge up and down the steep sandy beach. Currents are usually weak along the beach, however during higher waves a strong rip exits out the central gap in the reef.
Crozier Drive parallels the rear of beach O-11, with continuous beachfront houses between the drive and beach, and one public access in the centre. The beach extends for 1300 m between the western boundary foreland and a slight eastern foreland. The fringing reef continues the length of the beach, narrowing to 100 m along the first 500 m, then widening to 200 m along the remainder of the beach. Waves tend to break heavily across the reef with usually low waves at the shore. There is one gap in the reef known as the Silva Channel, which produces a fast left hand surf break that runs along the western side of the outer reef. A permanent rip also runs out through the narrow 20-30 m wide channel, with reef hugging the shore to either side of the channel.
Aweoweo Beach Park (O-12) is a narrow 100 m long developed beach park. Aweoweo beach commences at the slight foreland that separates it from beach O-11, and trends to the east for 800 m to the next large sandy foreland. The beach park is located in the centre of the beach, with beachfront houses to either side and two condominiums on the foreland. The fringing reef continues the length of the beach widening from 200 m in the west to 300 m off the foreland. Waves break over the shallow reef, with usually low waves to calm conditions at the shore, and only wind generated currents. The beach is narrow and steep, with usually low waves, however there is some beachrock and old triangular tank traps along the base of the beach. In addition beach erosion on the foreland has resulting in the construction of a seawall.
Puuiki Beach (O-13) commences at the foreland and curves to the east in a broad arc for 1.5 km to the lee of the low basaltic Puuiki Point, adjacent to the cemetery. Apart from the cemetery the beach is backed by continuous beachfront houses, with public access via access tracks. The fringing reef widens to up to 500 m in the centre, resulting in low waves and often calm conditions at the shore. The low waves maintain a steep narrow beach that is eroding on the foreland undermining the casuarina trees, while it widens in the centre to form a berm.

OAHU 14-18 KAIAKA-ALI’I BEACH PARK

No. Beach Rating Type Length

14 Kaiaka Bay Beach 2 2 R+sand flats 350 m

15 Kaiaka State Rec Area 2 5 R+fringing reef/rip 700 m

16 Ali’I Beach Park (E) 3 5 R+fringing reef/rip 500 m

17 Ali’I Beach Park (E) 4 6 R+fringing reef/rip 400 m

18 Haleiwa Boat Hbr 1 2 3 R+breakwater 40 m

Kaiaka Bay and Haleiwa harbour border a 1.5 km long section of protruding shoreline containing five beaches (O 14-18). Kiikii and Paukauila streams flow into Kaiaka Bay, while the Anahulu River flows into the harbour. The natural valley formed by the converging streams also marks the change in the orientation of the shore as its switches from north-facing to northwest for the remainder of the North Shore. It also marks the centre of the North Shore and site of its only two towns, Waialua and Haleiwa.
Kaiaka Bay is a 400 m wide natural bay located at the mouth of the two streams and bordered by Puuli Point to the west and Kaiaka Point to the east. The eastern side of the 200 m wide mouth of the streams has been trained, with the low rock wall forming the western end of the beach. The beach (O-14) trends to the east-northeast for 350 m to the beginning of the 2 m high raised reef that extends for 700 m northwest to the point. The low energy beach is located 700 m inside the bay and receives only low waves averaging about 0.3 m. These break across a low gradient intertidal sandy flats and a 10 m wide moderately steep beach. A continuous 2 m high dirt mound backs the beach, and then low scrubby ground to the old road 100 m to the south. The water is often muddy, with debris from the streams littering the beach. While the beach is easily accessible and adjacent to the Haleiwa Elementary School, it is unattractive and unsuitable for swimming owing to the shallow dirty water and debris.
Kaiaka State Recreation Reserve a 35 ha of flat grassy land located to either side of Kaiaka Point, a low raised reef. The point and western side of the reserve is entirely composed of the reef and unsuitable for swimming. The large park is however a popular camping and fishing spot. The beach (O-15) commences on the eastern side of the raised reef of the point and trends to the east for 700 m, as a steep sandy beach fronted by a 200 m wide fringing reef. The eastern 500 m of beach is backed by beachfront houses, with public access off Pika Street and at the eastern end of the houses, where the beach terminates. A deep channel cuts though the reef and reaches the shore in the centre of the embayment. While waves are usually low at the shore water flowing off the reef flows into the 200 m wide channel. The channel is orientated due north and constrained by the reef, which extends 500 m out into the centre of the bay. It flows as a permanent rip out of the embayment and eventually across the Haleiwa surf break. The Hammerheads left surf break is located on the outer reef on the western side of the channel.
Ali’I Beach Park commences in the centre of the embayment formed between Kaiaka Point and the Baywatch surf house. Beach O-15 is a continuation of Kaiaka Beach, and trends in a northeast direction for 500 m to the raised reef that forms the boundary with Ali’i Beach. The beach faces northwest across a shallow 200 m wide fringing reef, waves breaking 50-100 m off the beach and usually low waves at the shore. It is backed by the grassy beach park with parking and toilet facilities. The Walls surf break breaks over the reef in higher swell producing right hand break along the reef.
Haleiwa’s Ali’I Beach (O-16) commences at the reef point and trends northeast for 400 m to the western harbour breakwater. In addition to the bordering reef and rocks, a 100 m long section of beachrock outcrops along the eastern section of the beach, dividing it in two. The lifeguard tower is located behind the centre of the beachrock providing a good view of the entire beach. The steep sandy beach is fronted by a continuous 50 m wide channel, which usually flows west along the western half of the beach, where it turns and flows seaward across the reef to link with the larger Kaiaka rip, which continues to flows northeast across the takeoff area for the main Haleiwa surf break. A second rip flows east of the beachrock and turns at the breakwater flowing out into the harbour area. Fringing reef extends another 100-200 m seaward of the channel and is the site of the Haleiwa surf breaks, with a right breaking across the inner reef, and during large swell the giant Avalanche breaking on the outer reef. In addition to the lifeguard tower the beach has a large car park, toilet and shower facilities and the Baywatch surf house.
Beach O-17 is a sheltered 40 m long pocket of sand wedged in between the end of the main harbour breakwater and a second boulder groyne. The beach lies inside the harbour and receives only low refracted waves. The main Ali’l car park extends to the rear of the beach.

OAHU 19-21 HALEIWA BEACH PARK

No. Beach Rating Type Length

19 Haleiwa Boat Hbr 2 2 3 R 100 m

20 Haleiwa Beach Park 3 3 R+fringing reef 500 m

21 Puaena 3 4 R+fringing reef 150 m

Haleiwa Harbour is located at the small mouth of Anahulu River, which flows under the 50 m long bridge and enters the bay between rock training walls. Beach O-19 is located between the eastern training wall and a 100 m long groyne that marks the boundary of the beach park. The 100 m beach is widest against the training wall and narrows to the east, terminating against a boulder seawall that extends another 50 m to the groyne, The Haleiwa road runs right behind the beach, with a cluster of trees between the road and beach. The beach receives low waves that have to pass between the harbour breakwaters and usually average less than 0.3 m at the beach. They maintain a steep sandy beach with outrigger canoes usually pulled up on the berm. This is a relatively calm beach, with deep water off the beach. It is impacted by river sediments and debris during rainy periods
Haleiwa Beach Park beach (O-20) extends from the western groyne for 500 m to the beginning of the raised reef that extends out to Pua’ena Point. In addition to the groyne there is an outcrop of beachrock in the centre, then a seawall fronting the main facilities, as well as a detached breakwater off the seawall. The beach is up to 100 m wide in the west against the groyne, narrowing to the east and particularly along the seawall, where rocks are often exposed along the shore. Owing to its location within the bay it receives usually low waves averaging less than 0.5 m at the shore. The beach is backed by the large Haleiwa beach park which provides parking, picnic and toilet facilities.
Pua'ena Beach (O-21) is located at the eastern end of the beach park just north of the eastern car park. A 100 m long section of raised reef and reef separates the two beaches. The beach is 150 m long and faces northwest across the outer reefs of the bay. It consists of a steep curving sandy beach, with scattered rocks along the shore and 1-2 m high raised reef to either end. It is sheltered by fringing reefs extending up to 500 m offshore, with usually low waves at the shore. It is shaded by casuarina trees and a popular swimming and sunbathing location. The Pua’ena surf break is located over the reefs off the beach and is a popular spot of less experienced surfers. During higher waves a large right breaks off Pua’ena Point and may connect with the inside reefs.

OAHU 22-26 PAPA’ILOA-LANIAKEA

No. Beach Rating Type Length

22 Police Beach 7 8 R+fringing reef 1000 m

23 Papa’iola (W) 4 8 R+fringing reef 800 m

24 Papa’iola (E) 5 8 R+fringing reef 800 m

25 Laniakea 6 8 R+fringing reef 300 m

26 Turtle beach 6 8 R+fringing reef 100 m

Pua’ena Point marks the beginning of a 3 km long section of near continuous crenulate sandy beach that terminates at the basalt rocks that mark the eastern end of Laniakea and Turtle beach. In between are five beaches (O 22-26) all fronted by fringing reef that narrows from 500 m in the west to 300 m in the east. The westernmost Police Beach is backed by undeveloped land and difficult to access, while Papa’iola Road provides foot access to the centre of the Papa’iola beaches. The Kamehameha Highway runs right past Laniakea and Turtle beaches providing direct access from the road.