Kolekole Beach Park at a Glance
Located about 10.5 miles (16.9 km) north of Hilo, Kolekole Beach Park is a popular beach park among residents in the Hilo area, mainly because of its beautiful scenery, spacious grassy areas and because of its facilities. On the weekends and on holidays, it is often times crowded with picnickers.
The ocean conditions are too rough and dangerous for swimming, but many people use the Kolekole Stream as a swimming pool. The stream is fed by Akaka Falls, a popular waterfall located about 4 miles (6.4 km) above Honomu, a nearby town. Another smaller waterfall flows into Kolekole Stream near the ocean, completing the tropical scenery of this beach park.
Kolekole Beach is made up of black sand and is located below a 100 feet (30 m) tall highway bridge.
The beach is small and during rough ocean conditions, high surf often times washes over the beach and into the stream. It is best to avoid swimming at the mouth of the stream due to strong currents in this area.
The bridge was once used by the Hawaii Consolidated Railway. In 1946, a tsunami with waves of 37 feet (11 m) above sea level rushed onto the shoreline here and destroyed the girders from the middle part of the steel bridge, which destabilized it. Because many other parts of this part of the Big Island's shoreline were destroyed, the railroad went out of business. The county later purchased the bridge and rebuilt it.
Kolekole Beach Park in Bullet Points
- Popular beach park, great place for a picnic
- Swimming in ocean not recommended due to rough conditions, but swimming is possible in stream
Kolekole Beach Park Facilities (top)
- Showers
- Restrooms
- Pavilions
- Drinking water
- Picnic tables
- BBQ grills
- Camping area
- Paved parking
- No lifeguards
Kolekole Beach Park Water Activities
- Swimming (mainly in stream)
- Diving
- Fishing
Kolekole Beach Park Driving Directions / Location
From Hilo, drive north on Hawaii Belt Road for about 10.5 miles (16.9 km). A sign marks the turnoff to the park on the right.
Address: Wailea Rd., Hakalau, Hawaii 96710
Kolekole Beach Park Map (top)
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Kolekole Beach Park Weather
(top)
Now
67°F
Windchill:
67°F
Cloudy
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Location: Hakalau, HI, US
Wind: 7 mph SW
Humidity: 90%
Visibility: 0.1 mi
Pressure: 30.11 in rising
Sunrise: 6:31 am
Sunset: 6:29 pm
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Fri
Hi: 77°F
Low: 65°F
Scattered Showers
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Sat
Hi: 79°F
Low: 64°F
Showers
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Kolekole Beach Park Photos (click to enlarge)
(top)
Kolekole Beach Park Reviews and Comments
(top)
Safety Tip
Whatever beach in Hawaii you visit, please have in mind that the ocean can
be very dangerous. Never turn your back against the waves and watch out for underwater
currents and always check the surf conditions. Pay attention to signs posted on
the beach. If you are not sure about the conditions, ask the lifeguards (if any
on the beach). Please
click here to
read more about ocean safety in Hawaii.
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