Big Island Beach Guide

Kolekole Beach Park

Kolekole Beach Park is a Hamakua Coast streamside park north of Hilo, with waterfalls, grassy picnic areas, a historic bridge and rough ocean nearby.

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Kolekole Beach Park

Kolekole Beach Park, Big Island

Located about 10.5 miles (16.9 km) north of Hilo, Kolekole is a popular beach park among residents in the Hilo area, mainly because of its beautiful scenery, spacious grassy areas and 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 rocks 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. Today, picnicking and fishing are better fits here than ocean swimming.

Key Features

Streamside Hamakua Coast park north of Hilo
Kolekole Stream reaches the ocean below the Highway 19 bridge
Small waterfalls and green gulch scenery shape the park setting
Ocean swimming is unsafe because of rough surf, rocks and strong currents
Freshwater conditions change quickly after heavy rain
The bridge area is connected with the old Hawaii Consolidated Railway
The 1946 tsunami damaged the railway bridge and changed this coast's history
The park reopened in April 2024 after major county improvements
County hours are 7:00 am to 8:00 pm, with the gate locked nightly
Kolekole is mainly a picnic, stream-viewing and history stop rather than an ocean beach

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is ocean swimming unsafe at Kolekole Beach Park?

The stream meets rough open ocean here, and waves, rocks and strong currents can make the stream mouth dangerous for visitors.

What should visitors know after heavy rain?

Heavy rain can raise the stream, make water muddy and increase current near the mouth. Visitors should stay out when the stream looks high, brown or fast.

Why is the bridge part of Kolekole's history?

The bridge was once part of the Hawaii Consolidated Railway route. The 1946 tsunami damaged the old bridge, and the railroad did not return along much of this coast.

Was Kolekole Beach Park recently improved?

Yes. The park reopened in April 2024 after major county upgrades that added and improved restrooms, pavilion areas, walkways, ramps, picnic tables and parking.

Can visitors rent a pavilion at Kolekole?

County information says pavilions are available for rental through Parks and Recreation. Visitors planning a group gathering should arrange that before the day of the event.