Kaloko Fishpond

Kaloko Fishpond is an historic coastal site and ideal hiking destination near Kailua-Kona. The pond and the land around it are part of Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park and are accessed from a separate road than the main park entrance. For this reason it gets less visitation, but it should get more. This is a superb place to walk and see historic sights. The small beach near the fishpond isn’t great for swimming or sunbathing. This portion of the park is mostly black lava rock, but there is a sandy path along the shore in most places.

From the parking lot it’s impossible to miss the picturesque large pond to the north. Parts of the shore are off-limits to protect them, but you’ll find vantage points for photos. One of the best spots is on the rebuilt man-made wall that separates the fishpond from the ocean. Walking is no longer allowed across this wall, but you can get onto it far enough to see most of the pond and its lushly vegetated shore. Look for birds and fish in the pond.

If you want to hike around to the north side of the fishpond, walk back out the road for a quarter mile to a signed entrance to the Ala Kahakai Coastal Trail. Once on the trail, it’s just under a mile of walking through lava fields to reach the shore again. From there you can walk southward to the north edge of the pond or walk northward to Kohanaiki Beach Park. From the parking lot you can walk southward on the Coastal Trail to other parts of the national park including Honokohau Beach in front of Aimakapa Fishpond.

The entrance for Kaloko Fishpond starts on Highway 19 across from the industrial center north of Kona where the Costco is. If you are driving north on Hwy 19 you’ll need to turnaround somewhere and drive southbound as there is no turn lane for this entrance from the northbound lanes. It’s not well signed, but the road name is Ala Nui Kaloko. You’ll know you are on the right road if it is not paved and you see a gate with the national park name on it. Note that this gate closes at 5pm so don’t get your car trapped inside when they lock it. This gravel road ends at a parking lot at the south end of the fish ponds. Toilets and picnic tables are provided by the park service.

Address

Ala Nui Kaloko
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

Phone

808 329-6881

Park Name

Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park

Other Names

Kaloko Kuapa

Owner

National

Pet Details

Dogs allowed on leash

Fees

Free parking

Activities

Hiking, Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching, Sightseeing

Amenities

Restrooms, Trails, Historic Fish Pond, Picnic Tables, Interpretive Signs