Hali'i Kai at Waikoloa Beach Resort

Hali’i Kai is pronounced Ha-lee-e Ka-i. It can be roughly translated to "Spreading out to the sea." The name was created by Danny "Kaniela" Kahikina Akaka, Jr. (often called Uncle Danny), back in ~2005. Uncle Danny is a local cultral expert and historian. When Danny saw the then soon to be Hali’i Kai property, he thought of the lava flows spreading into the sea that the Waikoloa Beach Resort is built upon. Want to learn more about the history of the Waikoloa Beach Resort and Hali’i Kai? Speak with the Polu Resorts concierge desk!

Yes, Hali'i Kai (also written Halii Kai) charges a daily resort fee that covers Ocean Club access, including the pool, hot tub, fitness center, and courts. Your Polu Resorts confirmation lists the current rate before you book, so there are no surprises at check-in. This resort fee also allows Hali’i Kai to provide towel service at the fitness hale and pool.

The Ocean Club is Hali'i Kai's private oceanfront restaurant, bar, amenity center, a lagoon-style pool, hot tub, and fitness center perched right on the Kohala Coast. Access is reserved for owners and registered guests. The restaurant and the facilities keep different hours: the restaurant runs 11am to 8pm daily, while the pool, hot tub and fitness hale open at 6am and, effective September 1, 2026, close at 9pm Wednesday through Sunday and 8pm Monday and Tuesday.

Effective September 1, 2026, the Ocean Club pool, hot tub and oceanfront fitness hale at Hali'i Kai close at 9pm on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and at 8pm on Monday and Tuesday. All three open at 6am daily, with towel service from 8am. The change is permanent and year round. The Ocean Club restaurant and bar are separate and close at 8pm every night.

Yes, as of August 6, 2026. The Ocean Club allows reusable water bottles at the pool and the fitness center, with a water fountain and bottle refill station next to the gym. Disposable bottles, glass bottles, cans, and other beverages such as soda are not permitted, and staff may ask you to empty a pre-filled bottle and refill it at the station. Our island guide to the Hali'i Kai water bottle policy covers the details.

Anaeho'omalu Bay (A-Bay) is about four to five minutes away by car, and the Ocean Club sits directly on the shoreline within the community. Hapuna and Mauna Kea beaches are roughly 15–20 minutes north. Many guests ask us about beachfront suites; our expert advice is to stay somewhere you love because the truly outstanding beaches have no condos/homes nearby. Connect with the Polu Resorts concierge desk for the best quiet & powdery sand beaches.

The Ocean Club hosts weekly local musicians and fire dancer shows. Watch the sun sink into the Pacific Ocean while our favorite musical guests provide the soundtrack for your dinner.

The nearest airport is Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA) and is approximately 25-minutes south of Hali’i Kai.

Hali’i Kai's resort fee is collected in various ways: Via your property manager, the property owner, or paid on-site upon arrival. Immediately after the Hali’i Kai front gates you will see a single floor building on the left-hand side (keep an eye out for the sign). You can park there and visit the Hali’i Kai front office for resort fee payment. Check with your property manager or rental contact if you're unsure of the process. For guests of Polu Resorts, you can choose to have these fees pre-paid or pay upon arrival.

Thousands of families enjoy Hali’i Kai each year. The answer depends on your lifestyle and desires. Some reviews mention Hali’i Kai being unfriendly to families with children, and other reviews mention the pool was loud with children playing. Generally speaking, families looking for a relaxed vacation without over crowded resort pools and waterslides will love Hali’i Kai. For the best of both worlds, consider buying a single day pool pass for Hilton Waikoloa Village. The Hilton is right next door and features water slides, large pools, and hot tubs for those high activity days. Chat with the Polu Resorts concierge for help planning a memorable family stay.

Each unit is owned by different property owners and has different designs, housekeeping standards, management companies, etc. Only 3 buildings at Hali’i Kai, 13 through 15, are truly Ocean Front. Buildings 6 through 12 have a full ocean view, and buildings 18 through 21 in "Coconut Grove" have great Mauna Kea sunrise views. Our building-by-building guide to the best units at Hali’i Kai covers views, pool distance, and floor plans, or connect with the Polu Resorts Concierge for expert advice when selecting a suite.

Yes, as of 2026. Hali’i Kai's floor plans are all 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom villas, but Polu Resorts is the first vacation rental program in the Waikoloa Beach Resort area to offer flexible suite configurations. The Hale Maluhia and oceanfront Makai Suites are each offered as a one bedroom for two guests at a lower rate, with the unused bedroom locked and both bathrooms, the full kitchen, laundry, and lanai still included.