Camp in Mackenzie State Park?

[Frankie Stapleton]

I would not stay overnight at MacKenzie unless you are part of a large group. As a local reporter, I covered the murder and near-murder of a Honolulu dr. and his girlfriend camping there back in the late 70s or early 80s. I'm still getting contacted about that. There were other people in the campground at the time, including a California EMT, and they were totally unaware of the attack. And I don't think you can count on cell phone coverage there at all.

Issac Hale Park and Pohoiki are one and the same and I agree with Jerry's assessment above. It would be a shame to bypass the wild, coastal beauty of Puna.