Kalepolepo Beach Park is a small beach in North Kihei, on Maui, where an old fishpond wall shelters a shallow stretch of water. The calm setting suits wading and swimming with young children, and the sandy shore and grassy picnic area give you room to pause. The historic Kō‘ie‘ie Fishpond sits beside the beach, and green sea turtles are often seen near its rocks. Come for a sunset walk, a quiet swim, or a look at the fishpond; the nearby Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Visitor Center adds a marine-life stop.
Kō‘ie‘ie Fishpond and its history
The fishpond, also known as Kō‘ie‘ie, was built by Hawaiians between the 1400s and 1500s. Its wall shelters the beach’s shallow swimming area. The pond was part of a Hawaiian village and fishing ground, and was once reserved for royalty. In the 1850s, the area was associated with King Kamehameha III. Community stewards are working to restore the pond.
Marine life and the visitor center
Green sea turtles use the pond’s rocks and nearby water to rest. Give them space, and avoid walking on the rocks that form their habitat. The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Visitor Center is beside the park. Its exhibits cover marine life, geology and the sea’s history, including the fishpond’s place in Hawaiian life. Admission is free; donations are possible. The center is open Monday through Friday, 10am to 3pm.
FAQ
Can you swim at Kalepolepo Beach Park?
Yes. The fishpond wall shelters shallow water used for swimming and wading. Conditions can change, especially in the evening.
Can you see sea turtles at the beach?
Green sea turtles are often seen in the shallows and around the fishpond rocks. Keep at least 20 feet away and stay off the rocks.
Is there a visitor center near Kalepolepo Beach Park?
Yes. The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Visitor Center is beside the park. It is open Monday through Friday, 10am to 3pm, and admission is free.
What is the Kō‘ie‘ie Fishpond?
It is an ancient Hawaiian fishpond beside the beach, built between the 1400s and 1500s. Local community stewards are working to restore it.
