Waiʻanapanapa State Park
| Waiʻanapanapa State Park | |
|---|---|
| Black Sand Beach (informally) | |
 Panoramic view of Wai'anapanapa State Park | |
  Location within Maui  Location within Hawaii | |
| Location | Hawaii, U.S. |
| Nearest city | Hana, Hawaii |
| Coordinates | 20°47′8.93″N 155°59′8.35″W / 20.7858139°N 155.9856528°W[1] |
| Area | 122 acres (49 ha) |
| Governing body | Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources |
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Waiʻanapanapa State Park is a 122-acre (0.49 km2) state park in Hana, on the island of Maui, in Hawaii. It is located at the end of Waiʻanapanapa Road off Hana Highway at mile marker 32, 53 miles (85 km) east of Kahului, Maui. Waiʻanapanapa means "glistening fresh water" in the Hawaiian language, referring to nearby fresh water streams and sparkling pools.[2] The camp offers camping facilities, including a small lawn where campers may pitch a tent, and a public bathroom nearby.
The anchialine tide pools at the park turn red several times a year due to the arrival of shrimp species like Halocaridina rubra (ʻōpaeʻula) and Metabetaeus lohena. Local folklore says it is the blood of Popoaleae, a mythical princess who was murdered in a nearby lava tube cave by her husband, Chief Kaʻakea.[3][4]
Natural features
[edit]The black volcanic sand beach is a highlight at this state park in Maui, Hawaii, but there's plenty more to see, including freshwater caves, water tubes, anchialine pools, and a natural stone arch. Wildlife is abundant, and on any given day you might see an incredible seabird colony or watch the park's tide pools turn crimson with the arrival of thousands of tiny shrimp. — National Geographic[5]
Waiʻanapanapa State Park's natural features include:[6]
- seabird colonies
- anchialine pools
- native hala (Pandanus tectorius)
- coastal mesic forests
- lava tubes
- heiau (religious temples)
- a natural arch
- sea stacks
- blowholes
- a small black sand beach.
- anchialine shrimp
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Wai'anapanapa State Park". Hawaii State Parks web site. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
- ↑ "Wai'anapanapa State Park". Hawaii Travel Guide. Archived from the original on March 20, 2013. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
- ↑ "The Legend of the Wai'anapanapa Caves - Maui Guidebook". MauiGuidebook.com. Maui, Hawaii. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
- ↑ Young, Peter T (September 15, 2025). "Waiʻanapanapa | Images of Old Hawaiʻi". imagesofoldhawaii.com. Hoʻokuleana LLC. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
- ↑ "Waianapanapa State Park, Hawaii". National Geographic. Archived from the original on February 15, 2019. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
- ↑ Hawaii state parks.org
External links
[edit]- Waiʻānapanapa State Park at Hawaii.gov
- Hawaii State Parks: Official Waiʻānapanapa State Park website
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