Kolekole Beach Park

Kolekole Beach Park is down in a gulch where Kolekole Stream meets the ocean about twelve miles north of Hilo. It doesn’t have a sandy beach, but this park is in a beautiful setting with jungle-like foliage all around.

The park has huge open lawns and gets lots of sunlight despite being in a gulch. There are abundant picnic facilities, many of which are under cover (a nice feature due to frequent rains here). Barbecues are provided in all the picnic areas. The toilets are of the portable variety and there is no drinking water available.

The stream bank adjacent to the park is made up mostly of round lava rocks. The water in the stream isn’t great for swimming, but that doesn’t stop locals from jumping in sometimes. Across Kolekole Stream there is a cascading waterfall where Ka’ahakini Stream joins in.

From the parking lot you’ll have to walk under the Highway 19 bridge to get out to the ocean beach at Kolekole Beach Park. When you get there you’ll find a beach covered in large round lava boulders and drift logs. It’s not the most inviting place, but with good shoes you can explore around and listen to the crashing waves. If the surf is high, don’t venture far and stay back from the ocean.

To find Kolekole Beach Park drive north on the Hawaii Belt Road (Highway 19) for about 12 miles to a road on the left (inland) side that’s well signed for the park. This narrow road is a scenic section of the Old Mamalahoa Highway and leads to a hairpin right-hand turn just before the first bridge. Take this road down to the parking lot.

Address

Kolekole Beach Rd & Old Mamalahoa Hwy
Honomu, HI 96728

Phone

808-961-8311

Park Name

Kolekole Park

Other Names

Kolekole Gulch, Wailea Bay, Ka'ahakini Stream, Kolekole Stream

Owner

County

Pet Details

No dogs allowed at county beach parks

Fees

Free day-use parking

Activities

Fishing, Picnicking, Beach Exploration

Amenities

Bridge, Waterfall, Driftwood, Covered Pavilion, Toilets, Showers, Picnic Tables, BBQs, Stream, Old Structures, Grass Lawns