Waikaumalo Park lies off of the main road north of Hilo, and you won't find much mentioned about it in the guidebooks. Instead it sits off of Old Mamalahoa Highway, a more meandering road that is worth driving to see the hidden areas of this part of the Big Island.
The park is small, with only a dozen parking spots. It contains open and covered picnic benches, outhouses, an overgrown trail that parallels Waikaumalo Stream, but the area of interest here is Waikaualo Stream. Lying just down a short grass embankment, the bend in the river contains a couple pools deep enough for jumping in from the rock edge. While not especially large, the stream, running with cool water, is a great swimming hole and perfect for coming for a dip on a hot day.
In the springtime, the Royal poinciana trees in the park erupt into a heartstopping canopy of fiery red blooms.
A series of waterfalls lie further up Waikaumalo Stream, however reaching them requires canyoneering abilities and equipment. This park is the endpoint for those beginning at the falls and rapelling downriver.
Comments
Sign In and share them.