If you are like me despairing over how to get to the Black Sand Beach at Waiʻānapanapa now that you have reserve your entry there, this gem is your Black Sand Heaven without the throngs of visitors.
Super quiet on a late afternoon, I was able to easily locate the dirt access road from the main drive to Makena. The access road is not really a hassle unless it rained a lot before and before you know it, you are in the middle of sheer awesomeness beauty of this fabulous place.
This black sand beach consists of ash eroded over centuries off the Pu'u Olai cinder cone near Makena Landing. Oneuli Beach is a relatively narrow strip of black sand on the rugged north side of Pu'u Olai. The nature lover in you will marvel at the raw beauty of the cinder cone and coastal environs here. A quite a steep trail leads up to the 350 ft high rim of the cinder cone. The dry, sparsely vegetated cinder cone absorbs a lot of heat from the day so if climbing, go early morning or evening for the magnificent sunset views. A good place to snorkel when it is not too rough along the edges of Pu'u Olai. Sea turtles can be observed along this stretch of coastline so keep eyes sharply seaward along the beach.