If you think having a picnic at the beach is great, try having a party! With a sheltered keiki (children) swimming pond, playground equipment, surf, snorkeling and a large park area, it’s easy to understand why Poipu Beach Park has long been a favorite for locals to gather and enjoy a sunny day at the beach. Poipu Beach Park’s many amenities, including six covered pavilion comfort stations, make it the perfect place to hold a birthday party, company picnic, or even family reunion.
You might be thinking, how can I reserve a pavilion for my beach gathering? The truth is that it is actually very easy when you know what to do!
Poipu Beach Park is one of the many Kaua‘i parks maintained by the County of Kaua‘i’s Department of Parks & Recreation. The Department of Parks & Recreation does not have an office at the beach. Its nearest office is at Koloa Neighborhood Center, approximately one mile away in the nearby town of Koloa. Any person who wants to reserve a park pavilion can go to the Koloa Neighborhood Office to fill out an application form and provide a nominal deposit of ten dollars ($10) for up to 100 people or fifteen dollars ($15) for over 100 people. Once you receive your permit to reserve the pavilion, be sure to keep a copy of the permit on hand for when you arrive at the park. The deposit is 100% refundable after it has been determined that the pavilion was left in its original condition with no damages.
A few other tips when using a park pavilion:
- It is required that an application to reserve a pavilion be made at least ten days in advance; however we recommend reserving your pavilion as far in advance as possible.
- The earlier you arrive, the better. If the pavilion is empty at mid-morning, even though it has been reserved, someone else may set up and it’s a lot harder to kick a group of people out. Also, after 12 noon, any empty pavilion is up for grabs by any park user.
- Leave your pets at home. The County prohibits animals in its parks and you could be subject to fine.
- Alcoholic beverages are permitted in a County park, except for the hours between 11 pm and 3 am.
- Be mindful of others. Music is allowed, but be aware that other park-goers may want to enjoy Kaua‘i’s natural beauty and sounds, not necessarily the music blaring out of your boombox.
- Always leave the area better than when you first arrive. Bring extra trash bags and haul your trash if you expect to fill up more than one can. Clean up around the area before you leave and don’t leave litter.
Now that reserved your pavilion, it’s time to bask in the golden Kaua‘i sun while you play at one of the best beaches in America (according to Dr. Beach). Don’t forget to bring your Frisbee, boogie boards, snorkels, swimsuit and sunscreen!