Facility Overview

Honomu County Park is a community recreational green space nestled in the historic former sugar plantation village of Honomu on the scenic Hamakua Coast of Hawaii’s Big Island. Situated directly off Old Mamalahoa Highway, the park features a straightforward, open-air surface parking area adjoining its athletic fields and community facilities. Because the lot is completely open without overhead structures, it offers unlimited vertical clearance, making it fully accessible for standard passenger sedans, compact rental cars, full-size SUVs, pickup trucks, and taller passenger vans or recreational touring vehicles traveling along the scenic coastal route.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Serving as the gateway community to one of the Big Island’s most renowned natural wonders, Honomu County Park provides a convenient, relaxed parking base for exploring the area. Key destinations nearby include:

• Historic Honomu Town: Just a 2 to 5-minute stroll along Old Mamalahoa Highway, featuring charming plantation-era storefronts, local art galleries, souvenir shops, and the famous Mr. Ed’s Bakery known for its massive selection of tropical jams and preserves.
• Akaka Falls State Park: Located approximately 3.5 miles (an 8-minute drive) mauka (inland) along Route 220 (Akaka Falls Road), home to the dramatic 442-foot Akaka Falls and lush rainforest loops.
• Kolekole Beach Park & Gulch: Approximately 2.5 miles north, offering scenic ocean stream views beneath the soaring highway bridge.
• Hamakua Coast Scenic Corridor: Centrally positioned for travelers embarking on driving tours between Hilo (11 miles south) and Honokaa / Waimea to the north.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Ingress and egress are straightforward via Old Mamalahoa Highway, which branches gracefully off Hawaii Belt Road (Highway 19). Navigating in and out of the park is generally effortless, as traffic along Old Mamalahoa Highway moves at modest community speeds. For public transportation, the Hawaii County Hele-On Bus system serves the Hamakua Coast corridor with scheduled stops within easy walking distance of downtown Honomu, connecting travelers between downtown Hilo, Honokaa, and South Kohala resorts.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Open-air, ground-level surface parking directly adjacent to the sports fields and open lawn.
• Completely free public parking provided by the County of Hawaii Department of Parks and Recreation.
• Unrestricted vertical clearance accommodating oversized rental SUVs, 4WD vehicles, and high-profile passenger vans.
• Close proximity to on-site public park restrooms, covered pavilion space, and open recreational fields.
• Designated accessible parking spaces with direct paved access toward park amenities.

Ideal For

• Visitors and tourists exploring the shops, cafes, and bakeries of historic Honomu town on foot.
• Families and youth attending local baseball, softball, or community sporting events.
• Road trippers along Highway 19 seeking a peaceful, uncrowded rest stop and picnic area on the Hamakua Coast.
• Hikers and sightseers staging a relaxed morning trip toward Akaka Falls or nearby coastal gulches.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Parking at Honomu County Park is free and operates on a first-come, first-served basis, with plenty of capacity during typical weekdays. If you plan to explore the town center on foot, park here to avoid limited street parking spaces along the main commercial strip. As with all public recreational sites in Hawaii, ensure you lock your vehicle and remove all luggage, electronics, and rental gear from sight before heading out to enjoy the park and surrounding scenic attractions.