Makena State Park is on the shoreline of Makena (south of Kihei and Wailea) on the Island of Maui.      There are two beaches and a dormant volcanic cinder cone on the 165 acre park.

Big Beach is a kilometer-long crescent of golden sand.  A small reef provides safe swimming conditions near the shoreline.

Separating the two beaches is a rocky arm of Pu’u Olai.   A trail to the top of the 360 foot cone climbs up slippery slopes.

The smaller beach is a clothing-optional beach, a busy place on a weekday morning.

Not far past Makena Park the road ends at the island’s most recent lava flow.   We hiked the Hoapili Trail through the a’a and back.   This was an exposed, hot, and rocky hike so a side trip into Big Beach was most welcome.