Facility Overview

Hūnānāniho Beach Parking provides direct public access to one of the most picturesque coastal stretches on windward Oahu. Located off Aloiloi Street within Hūnānāniho (historically recognized as Waimānalo Bay Beach Park and commonly referred to locally as \'Sherwoods\'), this facility is an open-air surface parking lot nestled beneath a protective canopy of ironwood trees. The ground surface consists of paved asphalt alongside designated unpaved shoulder turnouts. Because it is completely open-air with no overhead structures, there are no vertical clearance height restrictions, making it exceptionally accommodating for lifted pickup trucks, full-size sport utility vehicles, passenger vans, and vehicles equipped with roof racks carrying surfboards, kayaks, and camping gear.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

This car park serves as the primary gateway to the soft white sands and turquoise waters of Waimānalo Bay. Key nearby destinations and attractions include:

• Hūnānāniho / Waimānalo Bay Beach Park: Direct access via sandy, shaded pathways through the ironwood grove (under a 2-minute walk to the water’s edge).
• Waimānalo Beach Park: Located approximately 1.5 miles southeast along Kalanianaʻole Highway, offering additional pavilion areas and open athletic fields.
• Bellows Field Beach Park: Situated just north along the coastline, popular for weekend camping and beginner surfing.
• Waimānalo Town Center: Less than a 5-minute drive (approx. 1 mile) away, featuring local plate-lunch diners, convenience stores, and farm-fresh produce stands.
• Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail & Lookout: A scenic 10-minute drive (approx. 5 miles) southeast along Route 72.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Vehicular access is straightforward from Kalanianaʻole Highway (Hawaii Route 72). Drivers turn makai (toward the ocean) onto Aloiloi Street, which winds through a peaceful residential and wooded beach access corridor directly into the park loop. The roadway accommodates two-way traffic smoothly, though drivers should proceed slowly due to pedestrians, beachgoers carrying gear, and wild chickens crossing. Public transit is accessible via TheBus Route 67, with stops located along Kalanianaʻole Highway at Aloiloi Street, approximately a 6- to 8-minute walk from the main beach parking spaces.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Complimentary Public Access: Free parking provided by the City and County of Honolulu for beach visitors and park users.
• Open-Air Layout: Unlimited vertical headroom suitable for high-clearance vehicles and vehicles with water sports equipment racks.
• Park Amenities: Situated adjacent to public comfort stations with restrooms, outdoor freshwater beach showers, and shaded picnic tables.
• Designated Accessibility: Marked ADA parking spaces located closest to paved sidewalk beach corridors and comfort stations.
• Natural Shade: Abundant mature ironwood trees providing natural relief from the midday tropical sun.

Ideal For

• Beachgoers & Swimmers: Visitors spending the day enjoying the gentle shorebreak, swimming, and bodysurfing along Waimānalo Bay.
• Outdoor Picnickers & Campers: Families and community groups utilizing park pavilions, picnic sites, and permitted weekend camping areas.
• Sightseers & Windward Oahu Road-Trippers: Travelers touring coastal Route 72 looking for an easy, scenic beach stop with ample parking.
• Water Sports Enthusiasts: Surfers, bodysurfers, and paddleboarders requiring convenient vehicle access close to ocean entry paths.

Visitor & Driver Tips

The gates at Hūnānāniho Beach Park are locked nightly by park staff; always check posted gate hours upon arrival (typically open from 6:00 AM to 7:45 PM during summer and closing earlier at 6:45 PM in winter) to prevent vehicles from being locked in overnight. As with all public beach destinations on Oahu, never leave valuables, bags, or electronics visible inside your parked vehicle. The lot experiences high demand on sunny weekends and state holidays, so arriving before 10:00 AM ensures the best chance of securing a prime shaded spot near the beach trail.