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Old Kona Airport is located on the western coast of Hawai'i just
west of Kailua-Kona town. At the intersection of Palani Road and Kuakini Hwy.
turn west and proceed past the old industrial area. Ample parking is available
the whole length of the old runway, fronting the beach.
The MLCD includes the waters offshore of the Old Kona Airport State Park and
adjacent private properties. It is bounded by a straight line seaward 500 yards
from the western end of the park, to a straight line seaward 500 yards from the
Kailua lighthouse. A "No Boating Zone" exists in the waters off the park as
indicated.
The single day use mooring can be found offshore of the prominent "Shark
Rock" toward the MLCD's northwestern boundary. Water depth at the mooring is
about 40 feet.
A few inlets and sand channels along the park frontage provide swimming entry
in calm waters. A reef shelf east of "Shark Rock" provides a surfing break.
Between the eastern end of the park frontage and Kuka'ilimoku Point is a large
sandy tidepool just inland of the rocky shore where families often take children
to swim.
Snorkelers and shore SCUBA divers usually enter the water at a partially
protected cove at the northwestern end of the beach. Another diving entry,
usable in calm to moderate waters, is at the southeastern end of the old
airstrip, where the lava shoreline forms a semi protected basin and divers can
jump into the water.
The reef fronting the park consists of numerous low profile shallow fingers
of lava, extending offshore to depths up to 50 feet. Beyond this depth the
bottom drops off quickly into very deep water. Coral cover is substantial in the
area, with a diverse population of reef fishes. Turtles and rays are often seen.
Snorkeling is good within about 50 yards of the shoreline.
Safety considerations
Snorkelers and divers should exercise caution when entering the water due to
sharp coral and lava rock along the entire frontage of the park.
Dangerous swells and currents along the shoreline accompany summer or winter
storms.
No lifeguards are on duty at the time of this printing, but are planned in
the future.
Facilities Restrooms, showers, emergency and pay phones.
Regulations
Fishing for finfish for home consumption is permitted from shore using
thrownet or pole and line (without reel). Night handline fishing for akule is
allowed, as is opelu fishing with lift or opelu net. Use of the state mooring is
permitted for not longer than three hours per boat each day on a first come
first served basis. Commercial dive and tour operations may be conducted at the
mooring and from shore with a permit.
No other taking of fish or marine life is permitted. Taking of sand, coral or
other geological features, or possession of equipment for that purpose is
prohibited. Other activities prohibited inside the MLCD include feeding fish,
anchoring watercraft, operating motorboats in the "No Boating Zone" and
conducting commercial dive/tour activities without a permit.
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