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Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach

Kaihalulu, Hāna town

Kaihalulu is a rare and unique crimson cove below the Ka'uiki Head cinder cone, but reaching it means navigating an eroded, crumbling cliff trail. People are injured and killed here, and the community asks visitors to stay away. This page explains why it's best left alone.

⏱ Not recommended at stop 🚗 128 min from Pāʻia ✓ Free to access

At a glance

The trail: Eroded and crumbling — The original path washed out years ago. What remains is loose cinder scree on a steep, slippery cliff edge with no railing and a drop to the rocks below.
Safety record: Injuries and deaths — Dozens of falls here have led to very serious injuries. There have also been drownings at the cove.
Current status: Best avoided — The cliff trail is eroded and frequently closed due to being unusable, as is the case after the recent Kona storms in 2026. There is nowhere to park either.

About Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach

Kaihalulu, often called Red Sand Beach, is a small cove on the far side of Ka'uiki Head, the cinder cone that shelters Hāna Bay. Its sand is a deep rust-red, the product of iron-rich volcanic rock weathering out of the cliffs above. Although it's undeniably photogenic, people don't appreciate the risks involved in reaching the cove.

Getting to the cove requires a narrow path along an eroding cliff. The original trail washed out years ago, and what's left is loose cinder scree and crumbling footing perched above a sheer drop to the rocks and surf. There is no railing. The cinder underfoot shifts, and ironwood needles make it slicker still. People slip here regularly. The following <a href='https://www.hawaiigaga.com/maui/beaches/red-sand-beach.aspx'>page</a> presents a sobering list of many of the documented injuries that have occurred here. By the time you reach the trail it's too late to make a wise decision - you will try and make the dangerous crossing even if you're now taking a huge risk. If you don't like the idea of risking a broken neck to visit a beach visit nearby Koki beach for a glimpse of red-tinged sand without the cliff trail.

Good to know

The trail is currently officially closed after being damaged by the most recent Kona storms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Red Sand Beach in Hāna dangerous?
Yes. The only route in is an eroded cliff trail of loose cinder with no railing above a 15ft drop. The problem is that the trail looks manageable, there is only one small section that requires precise balance and movement. The dozens of airlifts of seriously injured people with broken bones and head injuries is evidence that the step is not trivial. Avoid the beach so you don't make a last minute bad decision.
Is Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach open?
The trail is officially closed after being damaged in the most recent Kona storms.
Where can I see red sand safely instead?
Koki Beach, on Haneoʻo Road just south of Hāna, has reddish sand below a cinder cliff and is reachable without a dangerous trail. It's a viewpoint rather than a swimming beach, but it lets you see the red sand safely and legally.