Our family enjoyed a birthday picnic party recently at Launiupoko Beach Park. Along with many other families, groups and individuals — both locals and visitors alike — this county-managed facility manifests the best of Maui in so many ways.

The landscaping seems to always be in tip-top shape with green, soft grass; neatly trimmed shrubs; and shade trees towering over the entire park to offer comfortable shade to all. Park picnic tables and barbecue pits are always ready for use, and showers and restrooms are clean and readily available.

The beach areas are limited, but a large area is walled off to create an ideal keiki swimming pond with an expanse of sandy area for moms and dads (and grandmas and grandpas!) to watch their kids play in the shallow natural pool. Out in the nearshore ocean is one of Maui’s ideal surfing playgrounds with soft-breaking south swells providing easygoing waves for all.

Plenty of parking is available both park-side and across the street.

It is thus no wonder that Launiupoko is the ideal location for those outdoor gatherings that make Maui living so special.

Our sincere thank you goes out to the Maui County Parks and Recreation Department and the Parks Maintenance Department for their excellent care of Launiupoko for generations of Maui ohana and visitors alike. (By Walter Chihara)