The Hui Nalu Canoe Club launch in Maunalua Bay — paddling and outrigger water-quality testing
Hui Nalu Canoe Launch is the historic Hui Nalu Canoe Club launch site in Maunalua Bay — East Oʻahu's paddling hub. The latest Surfrider BWTF sample (2026-04-19) measured 63 MPN/100mL — within the 130 BAV threshold. The Hawaii DOH does not routinely test this beach.
Maunalua Bay is sheltered between Diamond Head and Koko Head — a long, fringing-reef-protected bay popular with paddlers, fishers, and outrigger canoe clubs like Hui Nalu, Maunalua, and Lanikai.
BWTF's most recent reading at the Hui Nalu launch was 63 MPN/100mL — within the 130 BAV threshold but at the upper-middle. The bay has multiple stream and storm-drain inputs from the East Honolulu / Hawaiʻi Kai watershed; calm protected geometry slows water exchange.
After heavy rain, watch for the Kuliʻouʻou Stream input to the west (BWTF measures Kuliʻouʻou at 2,046 MPN — major exceedance). Stay 200m+ from any stream mouth in the bay. Standard 72-hour rule applies.
The Hawaii Department of Health does NOT routinely test Hui Nalu Canoe Launch (Hawaiʻi Kai). The community-tested readings on this page come from the Surfrider Foundation Blue Water Task Force, a volunteer-led monitoring program run by the Surfrider Oʻahu chapter.
BWTF samples Hui Nalu Canoe Launch (Hawaiʻi Kai) biweekly using the IDEXX Enterolert method (MPN/100mL), and compares results against the same 130 Beach Action Value DOH uses statewide. See our overview of citizen water-quality testing in Hawaiʻi for the methodology and how BWTF data fits with DOH coverage.
Sandy launch from the central area. Avoid the immediate stream-mouth zones along the bay's western flank (Kuliʻouʻou). Most paddling activity happens off the launch into the open bay.
Mornings before trade winds pick up. The canoe clubs run Saturday morning practices that are part of the local culture. Better swimming options in protected lagoons further west; this is primarily a paddling site.
Off Hawaiʻi Kai Drive in central Hawaiʻi Kai, near the Maunalua Bay Beach Park. Public parking. The Maunalua Bay Beach Park itself is a separate access point with restrooms and showers.
Free alerts when water quality changes at your beach.
No spam. Just safety alerts for your trip.
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
Safe to Swim Hawaii is an independent passion project — not affiliated with the Hawaii Department of Health, the Surfrider Foundation, or any government agency. Bacteria readings on this page come from the Surfrider Blue Water Task Force, a volunteer-led monitoring program. Readings are point-in-time samples; conditions change with weather, runoff, and wave patterns. They are not real-time measurements and may not reflect current conditions.
Always verify current water quality conditions with the Hawaii DOH Clean Water Branch and BWTF directly before entering the water.
This site does not recommend or advise anyone to swim at any beach. We share publicly available data and geographic analysis so you can make your own informed decisions. By using this site you accept full responsibility for your own safety. See our Terms of Use for full details.
When in doubt, don't go out. 🤙