Things to Do in Kihei With Kids
Kihei is one of the easiest places on Maui to fill a day with kids: three calm Kamaole beaches in a row, a beginner surf break, two parks with playgrounds, winter whales off the sand, and shave ice within a short walk. The Hale Pau Hana fronts the gentlest of those beaches directly, so a family day starts the moment you step off the lawn.
Kihei is built for family days. The town strings together three calm, lifeguarded Kamaole beaches, a beginner surf break at Cove Park, the playground and skate park at Kalama Park, winter whale watching from the sand, easy reef snorkeling, and shave ice within a short walk. The Maui Ocean Center aquarium sits about 15 minutes north in Maalaea for a shaded afternoon. The Hale Pau Hana, the oceanfront condominium property at 2480 South Kihei Road, Kihei, HI 96753, fronts Kamaole Beach Park II directly, so kids cross the lawn straight onto the sand with no road between the door and the water.
Key takeaways
- The core of Kihei with kids is the beach: Kamaole I, II, and III sit in a row with sand bottoms, gentle shore break, and Maui County lifeguards daily from 8am to 4:30pm.
- The Hale Pau Hana fronts Kamaole Beach Park II directly, the calmest of the three, so children reach the sand without crossing a road.
- Cove Park, 0.7 miles north, is South Maui's beginner surf break, and several schools teach kids as young as 8 in morning lessons.
- Kalama Park, 0.6 miles north, adds a playground, a skate park, and ball fields, and the Kamaole III playground is just 0.3 miles south.
- Humpback whales are visible from the sand and the HPH lanais from late November through early May, and the Maui Ocean Center aquarium is about 15 minutes north in Maalaea for a rainy or hot afternoon.
What is there to do in Kihei with kids?
Plenty, and most of it sits within a short walk of the beach. The everyday rhythm for families here is a beach morning, a shaded or driving afternoon, and sunset on the lawn. The Hale Pau Hana has fronted Kamaole Beach Park II since 1970, with 80 oceanfront units across four buildings on two acres, so the calmest of the three Kamaole beaches is the property's front yard. From there, the rest of a kid-friendly Kihei day fans out along South Kihei Road. Everything below is measured from the property at 2480 South Kihei Road, Kihei, HI 96753.
| Activity | Best for ages | Distance from HPH | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beach morning: wading, sandcastles, boogie boards | All ages | On property | Walk off the lawn onto Kamaole Beach Park II |
| Playground and grass field | Toddlers to about 10 | 0.3 miles south | 6-minute walk to Kamaole Beach Park III |
| Playground, skate park, ball fields | Toddlers to teens | 0.6 miles north | 12-minute walk to Kalama Park |
| Beginner surf lesson | Ages 8 and up | 0.7 miles north | 14-minute walk to Cove Park |
| Easy reef snorkeling | Ages 5 and up, with supervision | On property | Rocky points at either end of Kamaole II |
| Shave ice run | All ages | 0.5 miles north | 10-minute walk along South Kihei Road |
| Whale watching in season | All ages | On property | From the lanai or the oceanfront lawn, late Nov to early May |
| Aquarium afternoon | All ages | About 15 minutes north | By car to the Maui Ocean Center in Maalaea |
For everything reachable on foot, including restaurants and markets, see walking distance from The Hale Pau Hana. For where to stay with children, see family-friendly Kihei condos.
Which Kihei beaches are best for young kids?
The three Kamaole beaches are the reason families pick this stretch of Kihei. They run in a row along South Kihei Road, all with sand bottoms, gentle slopes, and Maui County lifeguards daily from 8am to 4:30pm. Kamaole Beach Park II, the roughly 1,600-foot beach directly in front of The Hale Pau Hana, is widely considered the calmest and clearest of the three, with a sand bottom and a small morning shore break that is fine for wading toddlers and boogie-boarding kids alike. For a calm, beginner-friendly surf wave, Cove Park sits a little farther north.
| Beach or break | Water for kids | Lifeguards | From The Hale Pau Hana |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kamaole Beach Park I | About 1,200 feet of flat golden sand, good for long walks and wading | Daily, 8am to 4:30pm | 0.3 miles north, 6-minute walk |
| Kamaole Beach Park II | Calmest and clearest of the three, sand bottom, small morning shore break | Daily, 8am to 4:30pm | On property, 0 minutes |
| Kamaole Beach Park III | Short sand beach behind the largest grass park and playground | Daily, 8am to 4:30pm | 0.3 miles south, 6-minute walk |
| Cove Park | Slow, rolling beginner surf wave over mostly sand, shallow lineup | No lifeguard tower | 0.7 miles north, 14-minute walk |
All three Kamaole beaches connect by sidewalk, so families can rotate beaches without moving the car. For the full head-to-head, see Kamaole Beach I vs II vs III.
Where can kids take a first surf lesson in Kihei?
At Cove Park, officially Cove Park at the south end of Kalama Park, 0.7 miles north of The Hale Pau Hana and a 14-minute walk. Its slow, rolling waves break over a forgiving sand-and-reef bottom, which is why every South Maui surf school teaches beginners there. Group lessons run most mornings from about $60 per person, and several schools take children as young as 8; surfers under 10 are usually placed in private or semi-private lessons so an instructor stays within arm's reach. Mornings are calmest, before the trade winds put chop on the water. Full details are on Cove Park, Kihei.
Where can kids play off the beach in Kihei?
When the kids need a break from the sand, two parks and a shave ice counter sit within a short walk north. The biggest draw is Kalama Park at 1900 South Kihei Road, 0.6 miles north of The Hale Pau Hana and a 12-minute walk, with a shaded playground, a skate park, basketball and tennis courts, ball fields, and big grass lawns for running off energy. Closer to home, the playground at Kamaole Beach Park III is just 0.3 miles south, a 6-minute walk, with a play structure beside a large grass field. For a sweet break, Kihei Kalama Village and the shops along South Kihei Road have several shave ice stands within a 10-minute walk, the classic Maui treat for a warm afternoon. The specific stands and their hours change through the year, so check what is open before you go.
| Off-beach stop | What kids get | Distance from HPH | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kamaole Beach Park III playground | Play structure and a large grass field | 0.3 miles south | 6-minute walk |
| Kalama Park | Playground, skate park, courts, ball fields, lawns | 0.6 miles north | 12-minute walk |
| Cove Park lawn | Grandstand for watching surf lessons, picnic tables | 0.7 miles north | 14-minute walk |
| Shave ice along South Kihei Road | The classic Maui shaved-ice treat | About 0.5 miles north | 10-minute walk |
Can kids see whales and sea life in Kihei?
Yes, and this is one of the best parts of a Kihei family trip. From late November through early May, humpback whales fill the channel off South Maui, and breaches, blows, and tail slaps are visible from the Kamaole II sand and from every oceanfront lanai at The Hale Pau Hana, no binoculars or boat required. Kids love spotting the first blow of the morning over flat water. For the season's full rhythm and the best shore lookouts, see whale watching from Kihei.
In the water, the rocky points at either end of Kamaole Beach Park II are gentle, walk-in snorkeling spots where tropical fish and green sea turtles are common, with the reef sitting about 40 yards offshore. Go in the morning when the water is clearest, put reef shoes on younger kids, and teach them to watch turtles from at least 10 feet without touching. Full conditions are on snorkeling near The Hale Pau Hana.
For a guaranteed sea-life fix on a hot or rainy afternoon, the Maui Ocean Center aquarium is about 15 minutes north by car in Maalaea, with a walk-through ocean tunnel, a touch pool, sea turtles, and reef sharks. It is the most reliable indoor outing in South Maui for younger kids. Because it is a 15-minute drive away, plan it as a half-day trip with lunch nearby.
What is there to do in Kihei with kids on a rainy day?
Kihei sits on the dry, leeward side of Maui, so all-day rain is uncommon, and passing showers usually clear within an hour or two. When the weather does turn, the Maui Ocean Center in Maalaea, about 15 minutes north by car, is the go-to indoor outing, with enough exhibits to fill two or three hours. Closer to The Hale Pau Hana, a full kitchen in every unit makes a rainy morning of pancakes and board games easy, the heated oceanfront pool is fun in light rain, and a shave ice run plus a movie can carry an afternoon. For a full list of indoor and weather-proof options, see Kihei on a rainy day.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best beach in Kihei for toddlers?
Kamaole Beach Park II, the beach directly in front of The Hale Pau Hana, is widely considered the best Kihei beach for toddlers. It has a sand bottom with a gentle slope, the calmest and clearest water of the three Kamaole beaches, and only a small shore break in the morning. Maui County lifeguards staff the tower daily from 8am to 4:30pm, and restrooms, rinse showers, and a grass lawn sit steps behind the sand. Go in the morning, before the afternoon trade winds put a little chop on the water.
Where can kids take a surf lesson in Kihei?
At Cove Park, the beginner break at the south end of Kalama Park, 0.7 miles north of The Hale Pau Hana, a 14-minute walk. Its slow, rolling waves break over a mostly sand bottom, and several South Maui surf schools teach there every morning. Children as young as 8 join group lessons, and surfers under 10 are usually placed in private or semi-private lessons for closer supervision. Group lessons start at about $60 per person and run roughly two hours. Book a morning slot, when the water is glassiest. See Cove Park, Kihei for schools and times.
How far is the Maui Ocean Center from Kihei?
The Maui Ocean Center is in Maalaea, about 15 minutes north of The Hale Pau Hana by car, roughly 8 miles up the coast. It is the largest aquarium in Hawaii and a reliable rainy-day or beat-the-heat outing, with a walk-through ocean tunnel, a touch pool, sea turtles, and reef sharks. Plan two to three hours for a visit. Because it is a 15-minute drive away, families usually pair it with a Maalaea stop, such as a Molokini snorkel boat earlier in the day. Admission prices and hours change seasonally, so check the current details before you go.
Is there a playground near The Hale Pau Hana?
Yes, two of them. The closest is at Kamaole Beach Park III, a 6-minute, 0.3-mile walk south along South Kihei Road, where the play structure sits beside a large grass field. Kalama Park, about 0.6 miles north at 1900 South Kihei Road, adds a shaded playground, a skate park, courts, and ball fields. Both parks are free, and both connect to The Hale Pau Hana by sidewalk the whole way, so families can walk to either without moving the car.
Can you see whales with kids in Kihei?
In season, yes, and it is free from the sand. North Pacific humpback whales fill the channel off South Maui from late November through early May, and every unit at The Hale Pau Hana has a private oceanfront lanai facing the water. On active days, breaches and tail slaps are visible from the lanai and the lawn without binoculars, which delights kids. For a closer look, whale-watch boats leave Maalaea Harbor, about 15 minutes north by car. See whale watching from Kihei for the season's peak and the best shore lookouts.
Where can you get shave ice in Kihei with kids?
Several shave ice stands sit along South Kihei Road within a short walk of The Hale Pau Hana, including the cluster of shops around Kihei Kalama Village, about half a mile north, a 10-minute walk. Shave ice is the classic Maui treat: finely shaved ice with tropical syrups, often over ice cream or with a snow-cap of condensed milk. It pairs naturally with a Kalama Park playground stop on the same walk north. Vendors and their hours shift through the year, so check which stands are open before you head out.
Do you need a car in Kihei with kids?
For the beach itself, no. The Hale Pau Hana fronts Kamaole Beach Park II directly, and the Kamaole III playground, Kalama Park, Cove Park, shave ice, and many restaurants are all within a short walk along South Kihei Road. Most families still rent a car for grocery runs, the Maui Ocean Center in Maalaea, Molokini snorkel boats, and day trips such as the Road to Hana or Haleakala. Parking at The Hale Pau Hana is free, one car per unit.
What is there to do in Kihei with kids when it rains?
Kihei is on the dry, leeward side of Maui, so showers usually pass quickly. When rain settles in, the Maui Ocean Center in Maalaea, about 15 minutes north by car, is the best indoor outing, good for two to three hours. Closer to the property, the full kitchen in every HPH unit makes a slow breakfast and board-game morning easy, the heated oceanfront pool works in light rain, and a shave ice run fills an afternoon. See Kihei on a rainy day for the full list.
Ready to book a family beach week in Kihei?
The family-sized units at The Hale Pau Hana sit oceanfront on Kamaole Beach Park II, with full kitchens, private lanais, and no road between your door and the sand. Browse available units, then check availability or call +1-808-879-2715 to plan your stay.
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