The Most Beautiful One Mile Hike on Hawaii Island – Hapuna Beach to Mauna Kea Resort

Kauna’oa Bay in front of the Mauna Kea Resort

It’s amazing how much beauty you can see in the course of 1.2 miles! That is how long it is from Hapuna Beach, the largest powder white sand beach on Hawaii Island to the bluest bay, Kauna’oa Bay and the Mauna Kea Beach Resort by way of the Ala Kahakai Trail.

COVID19 Days

The Ala Kahakai Trail between beaches

We have run/hiked/walked this trail many times, but yesterday was a bit more fun because both beaches had kama’aina joyfully frolicking about after two months of shelter in place due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Currently, we have no active cases on the Big Island, so people felt comfortable spending Memorial Day weekend seeing old friends and getting some much needed beach time in.

May/June 2020 Tip

(If you go, Hapuna Beach closes at sunset, all bathroom facilities are open BUT the picnic pavilions are closed. Lifeguards ARE on duty.)

ALONE ON THE TRAIL!

We were the only ones on the trail as we ran from one beach to the other along the Ala Kahakai Trail which you can easily find at the north end of Hapuna Beach. It snakes it way up onto the grounds of the Westin Hapuna Prince Resort, and down and around the peninsula where it emerges onto the Mauna Kea Resort Beach along Kauna’oa Bay. From there, we walked the length of the beach and walked up to the vacant hotel for a quick view and video of the bay. This vantage point is one of the most beautiful on the island.

How happy are we with this view?

We also walked down to the point where you can see a large light that the hotel beams into the water at night to attract the Manta Rays for snorkeling. Alas, at this time, the hotel is not open, but we DID get a jump in because THAT was the end of the trail for us before heading back to Hapuna for a dip!

We created this video of our hike/run/walk to show you a slice of life during a time we all won’t forget. 

Bougainvillea at the Mauna Kea Resort

More Hiking Videos!

If you are interested in more adventures along the Ala Kahakai Trail, check out our other videos on our 365Hawaii YouTube channel as we take you along the coast of West Hawaii.

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