Kawaihae Harbor, Island of Hawaii
Kawaihae Harbor is on the Kohala Coast north of the Waikaloa Resorts on the Island of Hawaii. It is the home of Kawaihae Canoe Club.
Kawaihae Harbor includes a fuel depot, shipping terminal and military landing site. Outside of the man-made breakwall of the harbor is a popular surf spot and the Pua Kailima o Kawaihae Cultural Surf Park.
The small town features a handful of restaurants and art galleries. To the north of the harbor is the Kawaihae Canoe Club and a small boat ramp. To the south is Puʻukoholā Heiau national historic site, built by King Kamehameha I in 1791. Also to the south is the smaller Mailekini Heiau and the Hale o Kapuni Heiau, which is submerged.
The United States Army Corps of Engineers dredged the harbor and built the breakwall between 1957 and 1959. In 1970, construction of a small boat harbor began to the south of the main harbor entrance by several institutions under the name of Project Tugboat. Over 100 tons of conventional explosives were buried in the Kawaihae reef and detonated to clear the basin and the entrance.
It also served as the launching point for the film Waterworld with Kevin Costner. The artificial reef or floating island was just off the coast with headquarters for the movie at the harbor.
Big Island Hawaii. Part 2. Kohala Orientation.
December 2009.
Music by: Lyman.
The area was named after the dominating geological feature Kohala Mountain, the oldest of Hawaiʻi Island's five major volcanic mountains. The current districts cover the north and western sides of the mountain, 20°7′55″N 155°47′38″W. It was one of the five ancient divisions of the island called moku.
The natural habitats in Kohala range across a wide rainfall gradient in a very short distance - from less than 5 inches (130 mm) a year on the coast near Kawaihae to more than 150 inches (3,800 mm) year near the summit of Kohala Mountain, a distance of just 11 miles (18 km). Near the coast are remnants of dry forests, and near the summit is a cloud forest, a type of rainforest that obtains some of its moisture from cloud drip in addition to precipitation. This precipitation allowed the northeast coast to be developed into sugarcane plantations.
King Kamehameha I, the first King of the unified Hawaiʻian Islands, was born in North Kohala west of Hāwī, at an ancient site called the Moʻokini Heiau, preserved within Kohala Historical Sites State Monument. The original Kamehameha Statue stands in front of the community center in Kapaʻau, and duplicates are found at Aliʻiolani Hale in Honolulu, and in the US Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Other parks include Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area, Samuel Spencer Beach, Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site, Lapakahi State Historical Park. and kēōkea Beach County Park. The end of Akoni Pule Highway (Hawaii state route 270) provides access to Pololū Valley. The Hawaii Belt Road connects in the southern end of the Akoni Pule Highway to Kona in the south and Hāmākua to the east.
Kohala has two small airports. Upolu Airport is on Upolu Point at the northern tip of the island. Waimea-Kohala Airport is south of the town of Waimea, Hawaii County, Hawaii.
Waimea is a census-designated place (CDP) in Hawaiʻi County, Hawaiʻi, United States. The population was 7,028 at the 2000 census. Since each U.S. state cannot have more than one post office of the same name and there are many 'Waimeas' on the islands of Hawaiʻi, the official USPS name for Waimea is Kamuela.
Waimea is the largest town in the interior of the Big Island, and is the center for ranching activities and paniolo culture. The Parker Ranch in and around Waimea is the largest privately-owned cattle ranch in the US, and the annual Fourth of July rodeo is a major event.
Waimea is also home to the headquarters of two astronomical observatories located on Mauna Kea, the W. M. Keck Observatory and the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope. (wikipedia)
Sunny Hale Kephart vacation rental on the beautiful Kohala coast on the Big Island of Hawaii!
This 5-bedroom, 3-bath house sits on 5 acres of land in the North Kohala district of the Big Island. We specifically designed it as a family vacation gathering spot, and we built it ourselves in 1989. At about 300 feet elevation, it has terrific 180-degree ocean views. You can also see Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, Hualalai, and most of the Kohala Gold Coast. With luck and timing, you can also spot humpback whales (in winter) and the occasional green flash (at sunset).
Because the house sits in the rain shadow of the Kohala Mountains, days are typically sunny and breezy compared to Kona's humid overcast. We even have some regulars who come over from Hilo to enjoy long weekends in the sun when available! With high ceilings, 13 ceiling fans, and over 750 square feet of windows, the house has a very open and airy feeling.
The surrounding area is fairly rural in character, so you will find this a quiet place to relax after a day of sightseeing or reading a novel at the beach. (Dedicated party animals will probably prefer something closer to Kona.) However, several excellent restaurants are only 5 minutes away by car in Kawaihae, along with diving, sportfishing, and fine art galleries. Spencer Beach State Park (great for little kids, with shade and very gentle surf) is only 5 minutes from the house, and Hapuna Beach State Park (great for teenagers, with beautiful white coral sand and impressive waves) is only 10 minutes from the house.
You will find this to be a very comfortable home away from home; many of our guests come back for repeat visits. This video features the song Kohala Mountain Road by Big Island musician John Keawe. Visit his website at:
To book your next vacation or for more information, visit:
Aloha!
The Big Island of Hawaii
The Big Island is the youngest Island of Hawaii, twice the size of all the other major Islands combined, covering over 4,000 square miles.
There are Twelve distinct climate zones, ranging from East Hawaii’s tropical rain forests to Mauna Kea’s frozen tundra
The Kona Coast lies immediately next to a huge ocean drop-off which descends thousands of feet to the ocean bottom. Kona is the home of the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament. Wether fishing from charter boats or piers, Kona gets fishermen hooked.
The Big Island, with her Crystal clear blue waters reveals a plethora of fish, sea turtles, dolphins and manta rays. Many snorkeling and scuba expeditions are open to every level of expertise. A unique experience for the advanced scuba diver is to swim into underwater lava tubes where eels, octopus and lobsters may be discovered.
The coffee plant was brought to Kona in 1828 by Samuel Ruggles. Today Kona coffee is one of the most expensive and prized coffees in the world.
Volcano is a subtropical highland community bordering Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It is near the active volcano Kilauea.
Kilauea Caldera is the longest continuously erupting volcano in the world, its present eruptive phase dates back to 1983
Driving over the new saddle highway between the Mauna Loa and The Mauna Kea is impressive. The Mauna Kea is the tallest sea-mountain in the world and, if measured from the ocean bottom, is 4000 feet taller than Mt. Everest
Cafe Pesto first opened in Kawaihae harbor in 1988 and their popular pizzas caught on and they opened their second restaurant in Hilo in 1992.
Hilo is a peaceful city with an airport, orchid farms and the recently renovated Double Tree Grand Naniloa Hotel. It was also where, in 1946 a 56-foot tsunami swept into Hilo Bay and caused 159 deaths and tore apart downtown Hilo.
Hilo had a second devastating tsunami 14 years later which destroyed downtown again.
The Pacific Tsunami Museum has exhibits which show how tsunamis have actually shaped the appearance and development of Hilo.
Nearby is the Mokupapapa Discovery Museum which explains the region’s coral reef ecosystem. A stunning 2500 gallon sea water aquarium shows some of the local reef fish.
Hawi in North Kohala is known as the bicycle turnaround point for the Ironman Triathlon each October. But it is also know for Bamboo - a Restaurant, bar and store. One of the island’s oldest restaurants, the Pacific Rim menu with fresh island fish and organic local produce is ono (delicious). The store has Hawaiian handicrafts and one of the largest selections of Aloha shirts from Torrie Richards and Avanti on the island.
King Kamehameha, believed to have been born in the North Kohala area, conquered most of the Hawaiian Islands unifying them into the Kingdom of Hawaii.
Today the Big Island is more like the Kingdom of Golf. With 22 golf courses, the region has some of the top rated courses in the world. At the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel Golf Course, is a new addition for getting around the course called golfboards. You can surf the course on a GolfBoard which is a core workout attuned to snowboarding or surfing. It also speeds up the pace of play making an average round of 18 holes on the GolfBoard in only 2 hours and 37 minutes.
The Mauna Lani Resort features two championship courses, the Francis H. I’i Brown North and South Courses. There are some unique features on Mauna Lani’s courses Including the Hawaiian Goose or Nēnē which is a species of goose endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. It is the official state bird of Hawaii
There are also goats, dozens of them which help keep the brush and grasses down. They are nature’s natural lawnmower. Most of the putting greens are Bermuda grass and balls tend to roll faster towards the ocean.
Cats are king at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, where ferrel kitties roam the sprawling property for treats and to help keep the rodent population at bay. The Mauna Kea was the brainchild of Laurence Rockefeller and was the most expensive hotel ever built in 1966 when it opened. The Kaunaoa beach is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Hawaii and in the winter offers exciting opportunities for boogie boarders and surfers.
Lava Lava also has some cottages that can be rented for those who want a spot where you can roll right from the bed to the beach.
Welcome to Waimea -- Big Island Roots
Welcome to Waimea, Hawaii -- home of Kamuela Hardwoods.
Known for paniolos (Hawaiian cowboys), rolling green hills, and premiere hardwood milling.
North Kohala on Hawaii
Hiking down the trail to the black-sand beach. Pololu Valley Lookout. Take the switchback trail to this secluded black-sand beach.
Puʻukohola Heiau National Historic Site – Big Island, Hawaii (TRAVEL GUIDE) | Episode# 5
Puʻukohola Heiau National Historic Site travel guide by Hipfig for visitors to Hawaii Island (the Big Island) in Hawaii.
Pu'ukohola Heiau travel guide covers –
- Introduction to Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site on the Big Island in Hawaii,
- how to get to Pu'ukohola Heiau historic site on Big Island (also called Island of Hawaii or Hawaii Island),
- Parking, Entrance and hours of Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site,
- things to do and see at Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic site with travel tips, and
- Visit to Spencer Beach near Pu'ukohola Heiau site on the Big Island, Hawaii
Pu'ukohola Heiau is located on the Hawaii Island (also called Island of Hawaii or Big Island) and is designated as a National Historical site in Hawaii.
Details on topics covered in this Pu'ukohola Heiau travel guide video are below:
1). Introduction Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site to new visitors to Big Island in Hawaii,
2). Information on how to get to Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site by Car on Big Island Hawaii,
3). Detailed information on Pu'ukohola Heiau –- like location, Car Parking, Entrance fee, Hours, visitor center, structures, temples and trails in the Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site,
4). Things to see and do at this Hawaii Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site like trail walk, historical structures to see, royal grounds, Sharks in water etc.,
5). Travel tips for first time visitors visiting Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site on the Hawaii Island (also called Island of Hawaii or Big Island).
S U B S C R I B E:
Official Hipfig Travel-Channel Website:
F A C E B O O K:
T W I T T E R:
#Hipfig #travel #Hawaii #Pu'ukoholaHeiau #BigIsland #Vacation #ilovehawaii #NationalHistoricSite
Kohala Coast Family Fun Hawaii
Family vacation fun on the Kohala Coast on the Big Island of Hawaii that all ages can enjoy include snorkeling, outrigger, fishing, delicious food at Norio's Steak House, mountain views on Mauna Kea and a one of a kind local cultural experience at Mauna Lani with Danny Akaka.
Pu'ukohola Heiau, Kohala Coast, Hawaii
Heiau built by King Kamehameha I on Big Island, Hawaii.
Big Island Hawaii. Part 48. Puakõ Petroglyphs.
January 2010. Music by: Skalpel.
Ancient Hawaiians called their stone art k'ii pohaku, or images in stone. The k'ii pohaku are petroglyphs, which comes from the greek words, petros for rock, and glyphein to carve. This rock art provides a unique look into the past, but questions can only be answered by speculation, for there is almost no historic evidence of the petroglyphs origin in Hawaii. Although the age of Hawaiis images is not known, a chronology of style can be discerned. The earliest were simple stick figures, while the figures with triangular torsos, which are only found in Hawaii, came later. Others that show carvings of horses and cattle were obviously carved after Westerners appeared in Hawaii. The island of Hawaii has the greatest number of petroglyphs in the state, and areas of concentration are almost always found on the smooth pãhoehoe lava, cliff faces, or smooth interior walls, on the dry and lava inundated areas of the island, and along trails known to the ancient Hawaiians.
Puako Petroplyphs
An area of large concentration is the Puakõ Petroglyph Archaeological Preserve, located just north of the Mauna Lani Resort. About 1,200 petroglyphs are in the section through which access is allowed. There are also petroglyphs scattered throughout the Mauna Lani Resort. The Muana Lani Hotel has a brochure and map and offers guided tours on the property with a Hawaiian historian. The largest concentration of petroglyphs in the Pacific lies within the 233-acre Puako Petroglyph Archaeological District. The 1 1/2-mile Malama Trail starts north of Mauna Lani Resort; take Highway 19 to the resort turnoff and drive toward the coast on North Kaniku Drive, which ends at a parking lot; the trailhead is marked by a sign and interpretive kiosk. Go in the early morning or late afternoon, when the temperature is cooler. A total of 3,000 designs have been identified, including paddlers, sails, marchers, dancers, and family groups, as well as dog, chicken, turtle, and deity symbols.
(letsgo-hawaii.com)
ThruJimsEyes - Hawaii: Driving the high road from Kona to Waimea
This is our favorite drive on the Island of Hawai'i. Mamalahoa Highway (The Path Of The Splintered Paddle) has great historic significance in Hawaiian history. The drive from Kona to Waimea is breathtaking with it's transition from the lush hills of Kona to the wide open spaces covered in lava rock and grasses to the cool, often wet, region of Waimea (Kamuela). When you drive this road remember to ask Akua (God) to share the wonders and the beauty of the island and you shall not be disappointed.
Aloha, James Christopher
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Aloha, I am James Christopher. I am a Writer, Photographer and World Traveler. While writing my Newest Book I share my adventures of living on the Island of Hawaii...
thrujimseyes.com
Check out Jim's Gallery of Panoramics at:
Hawaii Island 5BR Vacation Home with 180 degree ocean views in sunny Kohala
This 5-bedroom, 3-bath house sits on 5 acres of land in the North Kohala district of the Big Island. We specifically designed it as a family vacation gathering spot, and we built it ourselves in 1989. At about 300 feet elevation, it has terrific 180-degree ocean views. You can also see Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, Hualalai, and most of the Kohala Gold Coast. With luck and timing, you can also spot humpback whales (in winter) and the occasional green flash (at sunset).
Because the house sits in the rain shadow of the Kohala Mountains, days are typically sunny and breezy compared to Kona's humid overcast. We even have some regulars who come over from Hilo to enjoy long weekends in the sun when available! With high ceilings, 13 ceiling fans, and over 750 square feet of windows, the house has a very open and airy feeling.
The surrounding area is fairly rural in character, so you will find this a quiet place to relax after a day of sightseeing or reading a novel at the beach. (Dedicated party animals will probably prefer something closer to Kona.) However, several excellent restaurants are only 5 minutes away by car in Kawaihae, along with diving, sportfishing, and fine art galleries. Spencer Beach State Park (great for little kids, with shade and very gentle surf) is only 5 minutes from the house, and Hapuna Beach State Park (great for teenagers, with beautiful white coral sand and impressive waves) is only 10 minutes from the house.
You will find this to be a very comfortable home away from home; many of our guests come back for repeat visits.
For more information or to book your stay, visit:
This video features music by renown Big Island slack key guitarist John Keawe ~ hear more of his music at
Fly-through of Pu`ukohola Heiau National Historic Site, Kohala, HI
Pu`ukohola Heiau National Historic Site is located in the traditional district of Kohala on the island of Hawai`i and is situated on the northwest coastline of the island. The park is named for a prominent ceremonial structure (heiau), Pu`ukohola Heiau, which was built between 1790 and 1791. This structure and other traditional Hawaiian structures are built using mortarless, dry-set, masonry techniques. The stones used in this construction technique are not shaped or altered prior to use and the structural stability of these structures is based on the degree to which individual stones contact one another. The more contact points stones have in common, the greater the bond and stability created by the downward forces of gravity, which serve to lock the stones together.
Pu`ukohola Heiau
Pu`ukohola Heiau is a luakini (temple) class heiau. Thus it is a structure that could only be built by the chiefly class in traditional Hawaiian society, and was dedicated to the god Kukailimoku. It is built on an approximate north-south orientation measuring 69 meters long by 40 meters wide, and covers 2,469 square meters of land. It has walls measuring between 3.5 to 5 meters in height on its north, east and south sides that surround an interior courtyard; and multiple platforms and terrace features. The temple is open to the west.
Constructed in a period of Hawaiian history characterized by running conflict between competing chiefs for control of the island, Pu`ukohola Heiau was built by order of Kamehameha, the paramount chief of the Kohala and Kona Districts. Construction of the heiau began after Kapoukahi, a powerful kahuna (priest) from Kauai, prophesized that if Kamehameha built the heiau he would be able to unite the Hawaiian Islands. Oral history and legend inform us that Kamehameha’s men passed the pohaku (stones) to build this structure hand to hand from Pololu Valley, located approximately 20 miles away from the temple site on the northeast coast of the island. Construction of the temple would have followed cultural protocol ordained by the priestly class (kahuna) of Hawaiian society (Green 1993: 218).
It is the role that construction of this temple played in Kmehameha’s successful unification of the Island of Hawaii, and later the entire archipelago, that makes this site highly significant. The heiau remains a revered sacred site.
Mailekini Heiau
A second major feature is the Mailekini Heiau located approximately 170 feet to the west on the slope below Puʽukohola Heiau. It also opens to the west and the Pacific Ocean. Like Puʻukohola, Mailekini is built on an approximate north-south orientation. It also has high walls on its north, east and south sides which surround numerous internal features. However, Mailekini is smaller than Pu`ukohola, measuring about 85 meters in length, 20 meters wide, and covering an area of 1,578 square meters. This temple is thought to be older than Pu`ukohola, but, an absolute date of construction for it has not yet been determined.
Mailekini Heiau has a complicated history, and it is believed to have been rededicated and reused multiple times into the 19th century. Following the unification of Hawai`i in 1810, Kamehameha converted Mailekini Heiau into a fort under the direction of John Young, and by 1819 there were twenty-two cannons mounted on the walls to protect the king’s residence and harbor (Kelly fn 49, pp 114-115).
Both heiau are adjacent to the mouth of the Pelekane watershed and Makeahua Gulch and the historic port of Kawaihae. The area below both Pu`ukohola and Mailekini heiau known as Pelekane was a chiefly complex where Hawaiian chiefs resided for generations.
This scan is part of the recording and documentation process of the Historic American Engineering Record (HAER). The HAER program is part of Heritage Documentation Programs, administered by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. The team consisted of Todd Croteau (Project Leader), Dana Lockett, and Ryan Pierce, architects with Heritage Documentation Programs, and staff from Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, including Sara Dolan, Adam Johnson, and Shane Rumsey. Historical data was written by Adam Johnson.
Note: The animation is produced as a byproduct of the scan data captured by a high-definition laser scanner used in the production of HAER measured drawings. This video does not contain spoken word. HDP Architect Dana Lockett produced this video.
Learn more about Pu`ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site at
Keawaeli Bay, North Kohala, Hawaii, The Big Island
A 4x4 adventure to Keawaeli Bay on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Cameras and editing by Lisle Fehlauer.
Go to for more travel videos.
Keokea, Big Island
Monster North Swell hit Kohala Hawaii
Big Island Hawaii. Part 3. Hapuna Beach.
December 2009.
Music by: Tom Recchion.
Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area is a large park and sandy beach on the Big Island of Hawaii. The Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel is also located adjacent to the beach. Hapuna (literally, spring or pool in Hawaiian) is popular with residents and visitors.
This is one of a few other white sand beaches on the west coast of the Big Island. The few others include Kua Bay (Manini Beach), Mauna Kea Beach and Samuel Spencer County Beach Park.
The 61.8-acre (25.0 ha) park is located at coordinates 19°59.4789′N 155°49.3809′W, west of Hawaii Belt Road (state route 19, called Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway here) on Hapuna Beach Road. It is about 2.3 miles (3.7 km) south of Kawaihae, Hawaii. A part of the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail runs through the park from Spencer Beach to the north, to Puako to the south.
The beach has lieguards, but can be hazardous during high surf conditions since the beach is not protected from the open ocean. The park has free admission, paved parking, pavilions, picnic areas, restrooms, and showers. Camping permits are available.(wikipedia)
HUMPBACK WHALES @ Kawaihae, Big Island
Whale watching while fishing out of Kawaihae, Big Island of Hawaii....
KRS-ONE - Love's gonna Getcha playing in background.
A Day in Hawi Oct. 2010
My Weim and Poodle having a great day in Hawi Hawaii
Look Video Feature // Hale Mehana // Waimea, Big Island, HI
More here:
Whales off of the Kohala Coast, Big Island Hawaii
Aboard the Sea Smoke with Capt. Jake, Nate (Sergio), and Tori.