Kaena Point
Encyclopedia : K : KA : KAE : Kaena Point
seen here from Kaneana on the south shore near Mākua Cave
Kaʻena or Kaʻena Point is the westernmost tip of land on the Island of Oena Point" />
Encyclopedia : K : KA : KAE : Kaena Point
Kaʻena or Kaʻena Point is the westernmost tip of land on the Island of Oena Point" />
On the south side, at Kaʻena State Park, a paved road passes a beach before terminating into an unpaved road. It continues for a few miles, after which the road is washed out, and further travel must be on foot. It is not possible to travel around the point in a vehicle, and such vehicles must be equipped with four wheel drive, and be relatively narrow. A winch is also recommended. The road is better described as a "path" in most places, and is lined on one side with a cliff and on the other with lava rocks which are quite capable of damaging vehicles. The road is littered with garbage, both of the normal consumer garbage type and vehicle parts—motors, suspension, tires, wheels—as well as entire abandoned vehicles.
In Hawaiian, kaʻena means 'the heat'. The area was named after a brother or cousin of Pele who accompanied her from Kahiki. The State of Hawaii has designated the point as a Natural Area Reserve to protect the fragile (to vehicular traffic), native strand vegetation still abundant there.
Kaena point is, literally, a spear-shaped protrusion into the Pacific Ocean. Some ancient Hawaiian folklore states that Kaena Point is the "jumping-off" point for souls leaving this world.
During the winter months, Oahu's North Shore is typically bombarded by large, powerful waves that attract surfers from around the world. It is rumored that Kaena Point typically has waves (up to 15 meters in height) larger than those at Waimea Bay, one of Oahu's world-famous surfing locations. This, however, has not been confirmed. Despite these reports, Kaena Point does not have the popularity with surfers as other North Shore locations; the Point's geography results in backwash, dangerous rip currents and other hazardous ocean conditions that make any water activity highly dangerous.
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