Haʻena Beach Park occupies the low, vegetated sand dunes located along the backshore of Maniniholo Beach. The wide bay offshore is bordered by two large reefs, Makua Reef to the east and Hauwa Reef to the west, but no reef protects the beach itself. It is completely exposed to the open ocean. During periods of high surf, particularly during the winter and spring, waves funnel unchecked directly into the beach, creating very dangerous water conditions, particularly a pounding shorebreak, a strong backwash, and powerful rip Currents. The foreshore of the beach is always steep, a good indication of the erosive force of the annual high surf. Over the years Haʻena Beach Park has been the site of a number of drownings and many near-drownings. Swimmers and bodysurfers in the shorebreak are usually the victims.

The park and its public facilities are located on Highway 56 across the road from Maniniholo Dry Cave.