Aloha Island Dreams Paako Beach Makena Maui Hawaii Copyright © 2011 Sharon Mau No post processing, it is really this beautiful. Early morning light on Paako Beach, Maui Hawai'i. The island of Lana'i is visible on the distant horizon and Oneloa, also called Big Beach, Makena is in the distance on the right. The division between Big Beach and Little Beach was caused by a volcanic eruption, a lava flow and an earthquake in approximately 1790. The hill dividing the beaches is called Pu'u Olai or Earthquake Hill. The software on this site often will not allow the okina in the spelling of the name Paako, and it should appear Pa'ako. The okina signifies the break between the two a's in the pronunciation. I asked everyone I met for several years for the Hawaiian name of this beautiful beach. About two years ago at last I met a local Kanaka Wahine, a Hawaiian woman who was on the beach with her keiki, her children, and she told me it is called Pa'ako. Now that I have titled my images with the name Pa'ako Beach I see many wedding planners here on Maui also are now calling it Pa'ako Beach and this pleases me, for although no has credited me with the name I know that I am the one who has made the name official. Some call this beautiful beach Secret Cove, Makena Cove and also Wedding Beach. Pa'ako Beach one of my favourite beaches on the island and you will see it featured at all times of the day and at sunset throughout my portfolio. Often at all times of day you may also see the beautiful Honu feeding on limu and rolling in the waves nearby. The best time for day shots is after 1100 as in the morning Pa'ako is cast in the shadow of the rising sun over Haleakala. Sunsets on Pa'ako are always beautiful and it is very peaceful here. We have many friends who live nearby as well and it is a beautiful view over this beach from their second floor lanai. I love the tide pools as well. It is always a good idea to wear shoes as you are walking among the tide pools. Please take care to malama the sea creatures. There are beautiful small urchins which live in the tide pools and many colourful fish as well. This is a beautiful calm area generally for snorkeling unless the surf is up. Often you will see locals fishing as well. Aloha 'oe