Pokai Bay is located about 5 minutes away and just a few steps away from Maili Beach. The bay is named after the Hawaiian chief Pokai, who is said to have brought the first coconut palm tree to Hawaii. “Ka Uluniu o Pokai” is the famous coconut grove that once lined the back shore. The beaches around here are not crowded and surrounded by tourists which is really nice. There are generally just a few other people on the beach (more of course on the weekends). We've been told that it is a treasured area by the locals and just to respect the beach and people around. When we went on Sunday there looked to be a seminar or a small church service, people bbqing and even people who set up a whole karaoke set up just for their small family.
"Pokai Bay was originally named Malaea, meaning "calm" or "serene." Malaea shelters the sandy beach of Nene'u and the site of the temple called Ku'ilioloa Heiau at Kane'ilio Point." We haven't visited the temple yet, but hope to do that soon on our way to another beach a little further up the coast. "At the north end of the bay is Kaupuni Stream, the spawning ground of anae (mullet) which gave Wai'anae (mullet waters) its name. The village Poka'i, famous for its coconut grove, once lay near the stream."
