O'oma Beach is a sucess story for public lands preservation on the Big Island, as well as a unique beach experience in an area dominated by crowds and tourism.
For years, the land between the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii (NELHA) and Kohanaiki Beach Park was owned by a private developer who was attempting to have the land zoned for building a residential development on. In 2014, an agreement was reached that put the land into the hands of the County of Hawai'i who wanted to preserve and rehabilitate the land.
Today, O'oma Beach has that feel. While it doesn't have the amenities of the beach parks that neighbor it on either side, it instead feels much wilder and with unique features that other parks don't have.
Accessing O'oma requires driving down a hardpacked sand road if entering from the south, which is generally accessible by all vehicle types. Entrance from the north involves a very steep rugged slope, which most except for very high clearance 4WD won't be able to drive. Those entering from the north can park just before the gate and walk in.
The beach itself is mostly sandy, and trees lining the edge of the road. It's popular with locals who can back their vehicles up to a wide open view of the sea. On the north side are tide pools in lava shelves, where you can find rock jumps and the intact remains of several historic structures.
There are next to no amenities here, which helps keep the beach in a closer to natural state. There are no bathrooms, no lifeguards, and no water.
O'oma Beach is open from 6am until 9pm.
All amenities are available at Kohanaiki Beach Park immediately south.
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