Holanailii Park

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Last Updated: December 7, 2025

Holanailii Park, also known as Magic Sands Beach, is a beautiful beach park located on the western coast of the Big Island of Hawaii.


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Summary

The park is named after the Hawaiian word for "coral," which is abundant in the area.

There are several good reasons to visit Holanailii Park. First and foremost, it is a stunningly beautiful beach with crystal clear waters and fine white sand. Visitors can swim, snorkel, boogie board, or simply relax and soak up the sun. The park also offers picnic areas, restrooms, and showers for the convenience of visitors.

One of the main points of interest in Holanailii Park is the unique phenomenon known as the "disappearing sands." When the waves are particularly strong, the sand from the beach is swept out to sea, leaving only the rocky coral base. When the waves calm down, the sand returns, seemingly out of nowhere.

Another interesting fact about Holanailii Park is that it is a popular spot for watching both sunrise and sunset. Due to its location on the western coast of the island, visitors can enjoy stunning views of the sun rising over the ocean in the morning and setting over the mountains in the evening.

The best time of year to visit Holanailii Park is during the summer months when the weather is warm and dry, and the ocean is calm for swimming and snorkeling. However, it is important to note that the beach can get crowded during peak tourist season, so visitors may want to plan their visit accordingly.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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