The Hawaiian name for Mauiʻs famous Big Beach at Makena
Oneloa means "long sand" in Hawaiian, which perfectly describes this expansive stretch of golden sand at Makena, South Maui. Most visitors know it as Big Beach, while the state park sign reads Makena State Beach Park. All three names refer to the same beach.
Big Beach faces south and has minimal development nearby. There are no streams or storm drains emptying into the water. This means runoff-related contamination is minimal compared to beaches near developed areas. However, the powerful shore break stirs up sand and can create turbid conditions.
Oneloa has one of the most powerful shore breaks in Hawaii. Waves break directly on the steep sand, causing injuries to swimmers and bodyboarders. This is the primary hazard here, not water quality. Check with lifeguards about current conditions before entering the water.
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Safe to Swim Hawaii provides water quality information based on publicly available DOH data and seasonal patterns. This is not medical or safety advice. Always check current conditions, obey posted signs, and use your own judgment before entering the ocean. Privacy Policy
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
Safe to Swim Hawaii is an independent passion project — not affiliated with the Hawaii Department of Health or any government agency. Water quality ratings are estimates based on publicly available testing data and geographic analysis. 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 before entering the water.
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