This little park is a hidden gem tucked away from the rest of Kailua on the northern reaches of the vast Kailua Beach. How is it different than Kailua Beach Park and Lanikai? It's a little less crowded, for starters. In part, that's due to a smaller parking lot which, unfortunately, closes at 6 pm (as in, there is a city employee locking the gates at 6 pm sharp -- we saw this with our own eyes). The waves on this end tend to be a bit mellower.

There are no kayaks launching because the islands that attract paddlers are quite a slog from this spot. Even better, there are far fewer kiteboarders. I am all for extreme board sports but this one, with wires whipping around and powerful kites crash landing, is a bit spooky, particularly when the boarder is a rank novice getting a lesson and you have to prevent small children from running into harm's way. On the down side, this stretch of beach does not have the same ironwood-induced shade. That's both good and bad. No ironwoods means fewer prickly things in the sand. Like the main Kailua Beach Park, Kalama is best in the early mornings or late afternoons. One caveat. If you are a deathly afraid of dogs, this spot may not be for you as they walk up and down the beach without leashes. Almost no one seems to mind. For joggers, too, this stretch of beach is a little easier than the southern parts of Kailua as the slope of the berm is a little more gradual, particularly during high tide hours. And if you worry that you can't stop at Kalapawai Market (there's one within walking distance of the other Kailua), no fear. Stop at the brand new one at the entrance to Kailua Town. It's right on the way to Kalama. There are no lifeguards at Kalama Beach Park but you will find public showers and bathrooms as well as a vast lawn for picnics.

Related Posts: Lanikai Beach Guide, Top 3 Walking Beaches

—Alex, 03/13/07