During the summer months, be sure to stop by these beautiful coastal tide pools on the Mokolea peninsula. Access the peninsula from Kilauea by taking Wailape Road halfway between mile markers 21 and 22 off Hwy 56. Drive along the smooth dirt road down to Kilauea Bay and park at the end of the road. Walk across through the stream and head down the right side of the beach for ½ mile hike. This area is best accessed during the calmer summer months and at low tide so you have the benefit of seeing the pools not being pounded by high surf.

Along the hike, you will see wonderful tide pools, filled with fish and sea creatures. Old discarded parts from the sugar mill industry have been dumped in this area and are now a part of the landscape. During low surf, you will see a series of wonderful lava pools. Some are even large enough to swim in if you feel like it after your hike to the area. At the end of the trail, the water crashes dramatically into a trench in the sea cliff that is well worth a photo or two.  Be careful not to get too close as the rocks can be slippery and some of the waves will create a bigger spray than you might have anticipated.