Punaluʻu Beach Park (Oʻahu)

Punaluʻu Beach Park on Oʻahu's windward coast — known locally as Chings — is the small reef-protected beach in Punaluʻu town. Often confused with the famous black-sand Punaluʻu on the Big Island. The latest Surfrider BWTF sample (2026-03-08) measured 96 MPN/100mL — within the 130 BAV threshold. The Hawaii DOH does not routinely test this beach.

Note: This is the windward Oʻahu Punaluʻu, NOT the famous black-sand Punaluʻu Beach on the Big Island. They share a name; tourists often book trips to one expecting the other.

Oʻahu's Punaluʻu sits on the windward coast, sheltered by a fringing reef. Multiple small streams enter the area, and the windward side gets considerably more rainfall than leeward Oʻahu. BWTF's latest reading was 96 MPN/100mL — within the 130 BAV threshold but at the upper-middle end.

After heavy rain, the streams elevate readings. The reef-protected lagoon flushes more slowly than open-coast windward beaches. Best for shallow swimming and family wading rather than longer ocean swims.

The Hawaii Department of Health does NOT routinely test Punaluʻu Beach Park (Oʻahu). 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 Punaluʻu Beach Park (Oʻahu) 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 entry from the central park area. The reef-protected lagoon is shallow at low tide. The nickname "Chings" refers to the old Ching's Punaluʻu Store still operating across the highway. Avoid stream-mouth zones at the ends of the bay.

Calm trade-wind days. Mornings are quietest. Local families come on weekends. Stop at Ching's Store for a malasada or shave ice — institution since 1900.

Off Kamehameha Highway in Punaluʻu town, windward Oʻahu. About 45 minutes from Honolulu via Likelike or H-3. Roadside parking + small park lot. Restrooms on-site.