James Kealoha Beach facts for kids
James Kealoha Beach Park is a popular spot for swimming and snorkeling. It's located in the Hilo area on the Island of Hawai'i. People often call it '4-mile beach'. This is because it's exactly four miles from the Hilo post office. The park has showers, restrooms, and a lifeguard tower for safety.
The beach is named after James Kealoha. He was the very first Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii for the state of Hawaiʻi. Before that, he was a respected leader and lawmaker on the island. You can find the beach where Kalaniana'ole Avenue meets Keaukaha Road. There's a public parking lot, and you can also park along Kalaniana'ole Avenue.
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Exploring James Kealoha Beach Park
This beach is famous for its warm and calm waters. Offshore reefs and rock walls help to keep the waves gentle. Close to the shore, you might feel some cooler spots. These are from fresh, cold springs bubbling up from underwater.
To reach the warmer water, you just swim through these cooler areas. The warmest water is usually right in front of the lifeguard tower. This is because the soft, sandy bottom there helps to heat the water.
Accessing the Water and Snorkeling Spots
You can get into the water from anywhere along the shore. The eastern side of the beach has public stairs for easy access. Snorkeling is best in the rocky or reefy parts of the bay.
Signs at the parking lot show you what kinds of sea life you might see. Look for local fish, green sea turtles (called honu), sea urchins, and other cool marine creatures. On weekends, you might find food trucks at the park. They sell treats like shave ice and crack seed, or Hawaiian plate lunch.
Fun Activities at 4-Mile Beach
Many fun water activities happen at Kealoha Beach. These include swimming, snorkeling, and surfing. People also enjoy pole fishing and spearfishing here.
The middle and western parts of the bay open up to deeper ocean waters. If the waves are big, a strong current can pull you out to sea. Many local surfers enjoy riding the waves created by this current.
Discovering Scout Island (Mahikea Island)
Offshore, you'll see a small island called Scout Island. Locals also know it as Mahikea Island. Its original Hawaiian name is Peiwe. This name comes from the drupe shells found in shallow, rocky areas. People used to eat the snails from these shells.
A big tsunami in 1946 made the island smaller on its ocean side. Long ago, it was a popular summer camping spot for people from Keaukaha. Boy Scouts from the Big Island also camped there, which is how it got its English name.
Family-Friendly Eastern End
The eastern side of the bay is more protected from waves. This makes it a favorite spot for families with children. There's a large swimming area with small inlets and sandy pockets. Behind the beach, trees offer shade for picnics. A picnic pavilion is also available for use.
This area was once managed by the Carlsmith family. Because of this, some people still call the park Carlsmith Park. However, Kealoha Beach Park and Carlsmith Beach Park are actually two separate places.
History of the Area
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The coastline around Waiakea peninsula and Keaukaha has fourteen fishponds. The biggest one is Lokowaka, which is about 60 acres in size. It's located right across Kalaniana'ole Avenue from the beach park. The state of Hawai'i owns Lokowaka, but it is leased to private groups.
Lokowaka is famous for its excellent mullet and tilapia fish. Its name, 'Waka's pond', comes from a Hawaiian story. Waka was a kupua (a demigod) who could turn into a giant lizard or a woman. She dove into the pond to escape the angry goddess Pele.
The beach park was even featured in a song! Edith Kanaka'ole sang about it in her 1979 song Na Pana Kaulana o Keaukaha. Here are some of the lyrics in both 'Olelo Hawai'i and English:
Au aʻe ʻoe e pa mokumoku
ʻO Peiwe pili me Lokowaka
Kapaʻia o Kealoha Paka, Mile Eha
You walk along the seashore and see the islets.
This is Peiwe, close to Lokowaka
Called today 'Kealoha Park' and '4-Miles'
