Where to park for a sunrise session at Keawakapu Beach II.
A practical, no-surprises guide to parking, meeting us on the beach, and getting ready for your early session.
The lot is small but quiet at sunrise — walk down the steps to the beach and arrive 10 to 15 minutes early, because the softest light lasts only a few precious minutes.
Meet us on the beach at Keawakapu Beach II.
The public lot is small, but it should offer plenty of parking at sunrise. Walk down the steps and meet us on the beach.
Bring a bag or backpack for your personal items so everything is easy to carry and keep together during the session.
The best light lasts only a few precious minutes.
Sunrise photography has a hard deadline: the light. Unlike a sunset session — where a few minutes just means slightly different color in the sky — a late arrival at sunrise can mean missing the softest light entirely.
As the sun rises behind Haleakalā, it offers diffuse, soft light. Very quickly, however, the scene is lit by intense sunlight that changes the look completely.
Coming from the Grand Wailea?
If your car is parked with the Grand Wailea valet, call the evening before and ask for it to be ready 15 minutes before your appointment. Call again as soon as you wake up — even before you shower — so it is waiting when you are.
This is critical, because a delay can cost you the precious minutes of soft light that make a sunrise session so beautiful.
A quiet beach with room to breathe.
Keawakapu Beach II offers an excellent balance of broad shoreline, no buildings in the background, very few morning joggers, and a beautiful variety of lava rocks and palm trees — which is why we bring early sessions here rather than a busy hotel beach.
What people ask before an early session.
Is there parking at Keawakapu Beach II for an early sunrise session?
Yes. The public lot is small, but it should offer plenty of parking at sunrise. Walk down the steps and meet us on the beach.
How early should I arrive for a sunrise photo session?
Plan to arrive 10 to 15 minutes before your scheduled start time. Sunrise light changes very quickly, so arriving late can mean missing the softest light of the session.
Why is the sunrise session at Keawakapu Beach II instead of my hotel?
Keawakapu Beach II offers an excellent balance of broad shoreline, no buildings in the background, very few morning joggers, lava rocks and palm trees.
What should I do if I am coming from the Grand Wailea Resort?
If your car is parked with the Grand Wailea valet, call the evening before and ask for it to be ready 15 minutes before your appointment. Call again as soon as you wake up, because valet can take time in the early morning.
What should I bring to the photoshoot?
Bring a backpack or bag for your valuables. Leave your hotel wristbands in your room. For ladies, translucent or matte makeup is best. We may get a little wet at the end, so bring a towel.