Welcome to Hawaii…..Ooops! I Mean Hawaii Beach!

Hawaii. The mere mention of its name conjures up images of soft, golden sand, swaying coconut trees and flower-bedecked grass hula dancers. You are gripped by the spirit of aloha. The fresh, floral air and the warm waters refresh you. The ineffable beauty rejuvenates you. Hawaii has become synonymous with paradise. However, Hawaii is just a dream for most of us.

But Miri has a small Hawaii of its own…….the Hawaii beach located at Kampong Bakam, a 15-minute drive from Miri. Yes, you will find soft, golden sand and swaying coconut trees there. But sadly, you won’t be able to see any grass hula dancers unless you become one yourself.

It has been a long time since my last visit to Hawaii Beach……15 years, 20 years….I really can’t remember. I decided to make a trip there this morning but I had a hard time locating the entrance to the beach. I ended up parking my car near Kpg Nelayan when I saw the wooden bridge there, thinking that was the bridge leading to Hawaii beach.

I saw a Malay man and asked him for directions to Hawaii Beach. He told me that the entrance to Hawaii Beach is just a short distance away down the road going towards Miri town. He kindly informed me that I only need to walk about 150 metres along the beach to reach Hawaii Beach from where we were.

The kampong is actually quite scenic so instead of getting back to my car to drive to Hawaii Beach, I decided to stroll around the area, taking photos as I walked.

 

From the kampong, I made my way to the beach. The view from the beach is beautiful. I particularly like the tree carcass and branches that have been carved into artwork by the forces of nature.

 

Oh yes, I could see Hawaii Beach just a short distance away. Hawaii Beach has not changed much at all from my recollections. The coconut trees are still there and so is the house belonging to the Goh family and the small chalets next to their house.

The sheds and picnic tables beneath the coconut trees are ideal for spending some time at the beach. Picnic and barbecue facilities can be arranged for a small charge.

One thing to watch out for is the barb wire that is tied between some of the coconut trees nearer to the beach. I don’t know why they put up this wire as it can cause serious injuries if you accidentally run into it.  And it can cause blindness if it pierces the eyes of little kids running around.

The actual entrance to Hawaii Beach is in the village next to the bus stop, about one hundred fifty metres from where I had parked my car. From the road side parking, you walk towards a wooden footbridge that leads to the palm-fringed beach. I think the bridge is a new one. I remember the old bridge looked a bit rickety. I was on the bridge taking photos when Mr Goh, who was walking from his house to his car parked near the bridge, stopped to chat with me, asking me if I am from any newspaper. Haha, I wonder what gave him the impression that I may be from a newspaper. I told him that I just wanted to take photos of the area.

After spending about an hour at the beach, the hot weather started to make me feel rather uncomfortable. Sweat was dripping down my forehead, irritating my eyes. It was time to say goodbye to Hawaii…oops! I mean Hawaii Beach.

On hindsight, I think it is better to visit Kpg Nelayan and from there, you walk along the beach to Hawaii Beach. And you get to see so many ATTRACTIONS…the Leaning House of Miri, The Creeper House of Miri, the fishing boats, etc.