Laie Point State Wayside is part of the Hawaiian Parks in the North Shore region of Oahu. Laie is part of a lava flow that juts into the ocean, giving rewarding and breathtaking scenic views of the ocean and shoreline. The park rests at the end of a residential street and consists of two parcels. The surrounding neighborhood and adjacent underdeveloped points are private property, so please respect and refrain from visiting or trespassing.
According to Hawaiian folklore, Laie Point was once a Moo or giant lizard that stood upright and killed intruders. Thankfully, the great warrior Kana hunted down the Moo and defeated the beast. Kana chopped the lizard’s head into five pieces and flung them into the sea. They are still visible but as five small lava islands near Laie Point.
Finding the entrance to Laie Point State Wayside is challenging since there isn’t a sign marking the entrance. But most visitors report that GPS navigation successfully guided them to the park. One landmark marking the street you turn onto is the strip mall on the opposite side of the road.
While deemed a park by the state, it lacks the amenities associated with state parks, like restrooms, drinking water, and picnic tables. Pets, alcoholic beverages, and smoking are also prohibited. The plus side to this is that there is no admission fee!
Once parked, walking out to the point is easy because the rock is smooth and weathered, making footing easy. While authorities haven’t listed it as handicap accessible, it’s possible for a wheelchair or someone with a walker or cane to journey onto the rocky point.
However, continuing to the tip of Laie Point will require quality footwear because the terrain is rough, with patches of lava here and there. Such a trek should not be attempted by those who are disabled.
So, with so much negativity surrounding Laie Point State Wayside, is it worth visiting? Based on the stellar reviews and our experiences, the answer is a resounding yes!
Sunrise and sunset offer picture-perfect opportunities with orange-emblazed sky and azure waves crashing into the lava shoreline. Watch your footing when venturing out to the tip, as the lava can be slippery from ocean spray. And prepare to get wet, especially when towering waves smash into Laie Point.
Laie Point is on the windward side of Oahu, where the sea can be a churning, frothy force to be reckoned with. A perfect example is the rocky outcropping to the left of Laie Point, where you’ll see a hole in the island’s center created by a tsunami in 1946. This opening showcases deeper waters, allowing photographers to capture turquoise swells and waves racing through the space.
Even if you’re not a photographer, visitors and locals all agree that Laie Point State Wayside is one of Oahu’s most beautiful, peaceful, and breathtaking parks. For these reasons, visiting should be one of your top priorities when visiting the North Shore area.
Insider Tips:
-Parking is challenging because there are only four spots. You’ll need plenty of patience to find a place and when leaving. Also, respect the parking signs, or the police may ticket you.
-While cliff jumping is popular in the summer, it’s against park rules and dangerous.