A tranquil span of rocks interrupted by grassy areas and fronted by a tossing ocean, Kolekole is especially popular with the locals who use its five pavilions for a wide variety of social functions and special occasions.

Kolekole Beach Park is a Hawaii county park on the island of Hawaii. The park is about 3 mi (4.8 km) downstream from ʻAkaka Falls, with an additional waterfall on the Kaʻahakini stream that drops directly from a small cliff into the main Kolekole Stream as it forms an estuary at the ocean. The stream passes through a rainforest containing several varieties of orchids. The stream flows about 20 mi (32 km) from an elevation of about 8,000 ft (2,400 m) on the eastern slope of Mauna Kea (at coordinates 19°48′42″N 155°21′52″W / 19.81167°N 155.36444°W / 19.81167; -155.36444) to sea level. The Hawaii Belt Road (state route 19) passes over the park on a high bridge. The park is located in the South Hilo District at coordinates 19°52′53″N 155°7′17″W / 19.88139°N 155.12139°W / 19.88139; -155.12139Coordinates: 19°52′53″N 155°7′17″W / 19.88139°N 155.12139°W / 19.88139; -155.12139 near the 14 mile marker.The name Kolekole means "raw or scarred" in the Hawaiian language.Camping is allowed with a permit.

The steel girder and truss bridge is over 500 ft (150 m) long. It provides the only major road between the town of Hilo and the Hāmākua district. It was originally built as a railroad bridge for sugarcane trains, but after the 1946 tsunami the railroad was abandoned and the bridge rebuilt for automobiles.

Tips and Information

• Services provided
• Camping Available
• Do not swim here

Directions

Follow Highway 19 northward, along the coast, approximately 12 miles to the beach park. At the site of a tall, 100-foot bridge, look for a small sign pointing down a side road. The road leads down into the valley to the beach park.