Charles «Sparky» Kawamoto Swim Stadium

What a cool pool! As the name suggests, this is a pool with a stadium of bleachers surrounding it. I didn't try to walk, but this pool is very close to Banyan Drive hotels. I swam when it opened in the morning, and we swam the 25 yard lengths; there was no problem with crowding. Admission is free. It makes me love Hilo even more!

Cold but cool pool.

This is the only free, public-access pool in Hilo. It's a really nice pool, available to all age groups, but it gets crowded during the 6 - 7:10 PM general recreational swim time, because they close off part of the pool for diving, leaving only a small section of the pool for lap swimming. The water can be very cold if it's windy or cloudy, but it's partially covered. Unfortunately, the lap swim hours are not convenient for those who work a normal work day. It would be nice if they had an early morning schedule from 6 - 8 AM for a short course lap swim. They have warm showers in the locker room, which is kept fairly clean.

This pool is great. It's an old nostalgic cement pool and stadium, but the water is kept cold. Swim hours can be interrupted when the guard takes a lunch break from 11 to noon.

The water was so cold I had to cut my swim short,and felt uncomfortable for some time afterwards. Too bad - it is a great old pool!