Hawaii Nudism and possible cruising in Hawaii
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REPUBLISHED May 28, 2008, revised October 2008, Revised Sept 2012, Updated Sept. 2017
(Note:
Some info may not be accurate since conditions change - such is the
nature of nudism across the world - the weather and erosion, changes in
attitudes of the local community and prohibition or surveillance by law
enforcement or public park authorities may cause significant changes to
the 'facts' listed in the article below).
Sorry
for the canned and somewhat disorganized article below but I frequently
get requests about the topic of Hawaii and what 'gay' things there are,
so I have this standard blog entry and have just kept adding more to it
over the years. It's time now again for update on the information.
If
you have more specific questions later, I'll try to answer them. But
for now, I hope this general introduction to Hawaii nude beaches and gay
spots there will help.
The first part is mainly about
Oahu. There is aksi specific information about The Big Island, Hawaii,
and Maui at the end of this article.
Nudity and Nude Beach in Hawaii
Nude beaches, heh? Do they exist in the Hawaii islands?
Yes,
but proceed with some caution because except for a couple of places
(not on Oahu), nude sunbathing is considered illegal (except for a
couple of long-time (and which has tacit permission for the law
enforcement officers).
Warning:
Nudity on public beaches is illegal.
Do not do so without taking adequate precautions to be discreet.
However, there are a few places where it is tolerated (or at least
overlooked) by the authorities. However, most of these are NOT located
on Oahu. Nevertheless, nude sunbathing does happen on Oahu (the main
island, where Honolulu and its famous, Waikiki Beach is located).
Queen's Surf -- NOW NO LONGER A GAY MEETING PLACE
There
used to be a section of Waikiki Beach called Queen's Surf -- where you
guessed it - the queens gathered. But sadly it is longer active as a gay
men's meeting point (for sunbathing (clothed, of course), picnicking,
and just talking. No, it is no called Queen's Surf because it was
frequented by drag queens (LOL), but gay men used to gather there to
socialize. It's still there as a public beach, and a few gay men do
congregate there, but nothing like the masses of gay men who used to
frequent this public beach. It's found just passed the Honolulo Zoo and
is located just two hundred yards from the Waikiki Aquarium. You can
find it just passed the snack shop/restroom. However, there is
absolutely no nudity on this very public part of the beach. Many people
don't even notice and you're likely to have families or tourist/visitors
sitting near or even among the 'guys' on the grass lawn just across the
beach side sidewalk.
NOW (as of 2015 and later), NO LONGER A GAY MEETING PLACE.
Diamond Head Beach (Lighthouse Beach)
For
nudism, the closest place to Waikiki where you can go to a gay and
sometimes discreetly nude beach on Oahu is at Diamond Head Beach (below
the Light House). It can be cruisy, but you need to be aware that it is
part of a public beach and not everybody walking down along the shore is
a guy looking for gay sex. Tourists, people walking their pets, and
families sometimes walk thru and even stop to enjoy the beach too.
However, it does get cruisy at times -- sometimes best when the sun has
started to set or after sunset. Just be discreet and cover up if
somebody who looks like a cop comes thru. I have never seen a police
office or been stopped myself, but I've "heard" that arrests have been
made for public indecency. I have received a parking ticket - so don't
park where it is prohibited or after posted hours. There are places to
"hide", ledges to sunbathe nude without being seen from below and I've
had some wild times there both in broad daylight and after dusk,
especially on the forested hillside just above this beach.

How to get there..
From
the east end of Waikiki, you can drive there or it is even possible to
walk (20-30 minute walk across and down along Kapiolani Park) to its
eastern end and then walk up about 700 yards to the drive way that goes
down to Light House Beach. You can't miss Diamond Head crater's peak
looming overhead -- which can be seen from anywhere in Honolulu. If you
drive, then you can follow Kalakaua east to the Zoo and then continue
due east along Kapiolani Park to its end and then turn right on Diamond
Head road. There is a small road down the beach -- but there is limited
parking there (don't leave a car at most Diamond Head Road street
parking after 10pm or as posted!!)
If driving, it is
easier sometimes to go on passed the light house and then look for
parking up at the look-out point(s) along Diamond Head Road (regular
unmetered parking) or for roadside parking on the mountain side of
Diamond Head Road. As any place in Honolulu - don't leave valuables in
your car and don't park where people can easily sneak up and open your
car -- car break-ins in Honolulu are among the highest rates in the
entire country -- more than New York City, by far. So you'd best take
precautions.

If
you're really worried about break-ins, then drive your rental car,
but park instead at Kapiolani Park, or take a bus (#14) or a taxi and
then walk back from the nearest bus stop to beach, or just walk all the
way from Waikiki and back - which is what I usually do., besides, it's
good exercise too. The walk through Kapiolani Park either way is
beautiful. On the beach side parallel with the Park and eventually
leading to Waikiki proper just across from the Zoo (at the interection
of Kalakaua and Kapahulu) is the extension of Waikiki Beach. There
you'll find Queen's Surf Beach between the Honolulu Zoo and the Waikiki
Aquarium, where a lot of gays hang out - but there in NO NUDITY
absolutely at such a public place.
Just as a extra
side-trip, I often stop in at the men's restroom and changing room with
open stall showers at the old Natatorium (outdoor competitive swimming
pool - which has now fallen in decay from lack of use). It's open from
early (6:00am ) to dusk so you can sometimes catch (cute) guys changing
and showering before or after their romps in the ocean for swimming and
surfing. I always like to get naked when I shower, and enjoy it even
more when another guy or guys does the same.
Being Discreet and Avoiding Trouble
You
should know that public (beach) nudity is illegal in Hawaii (as in most
US States) -- this is posted at most beaches -- and there has evidently
been more police patrolling of Light House beach. But I myself have
never seen a police officer on the beach -- although the stories /
rumors keep going around. My advice is don't be blatant -- it is a
public beach with families and tourists -- who don't expect to see a
nude guy especially one with a hard-on or engaged in sexual activity.
They are probably the ones who call the police (if they ever do come
down to look for "sex perverts".) I prefer to stay up above the beach --
(but not TOO high) or the tourist at the look-out point above can see
you -- and have towel/swimsuit to cover up if somebody obviously NOT gay
comes snooping around.
Nonetheless, I've had some good
"looks" and quite a lot of sex in the bushes and in the coves/nooks,
especially around dusk. If you aren't interested in the cruising part,
then you can just enjoy the sun and see what other guys do. They can't
arrest you for thongs or skimpy bikinis in any case.
Mokuleia (near Polo Field) on the North Shore (Oahu)
(part
of a discussion Yahoo! Group Hawaii Nudist -- it is not very active,
but there was information about a North Shore 'nudist' beach -
Mokuleia.)
Since there are no legal nude beaches on
Oahu or its too far to go there, some guys do lie out on the north shore
near the Polo Fields at Mokuleia. Others lie out at Diamond head below
the lighthouse right outside Waikiki. (by Honolulust)
The
beach on the North Shore (Polo Fields) is much nicer than the Diamond
Head lighthouse beach. The water is clearer, cleaner and much more
secluded. At the end of the public access trail, go to the right for the
gay nude area. As you walk you will see a bushy wooded area.
That's
the gay area. You can situate yourself on the beach or in the little
areas in the bushes. I 've had some very hot sessions on that beach!
(by Musl2Pound)
I'm
still not sure where that beach is - Polo Fields at Mokuleia. Is in off
of Crozier Dr. (the street closest to the shore) or is it further west
out Farrington Hwy? If you don't have a car (a tourist
or visitor) would you be out of luck? I mean is it worth take a bus to Waialua and then walking?
(These
question are from sunbuns99 - p.s. Nobody ever answered my questions so
I still don't know much about Mokuleia (May 2008). You can find the
place and the polo fields on Google maps.)