Kahaluu Bay
Encyclopedia
Kahaluu Bay (ˌkɑːhəˈluːʔuː, ˈkɐhɐˈluʔu) is a historic district and popular recreation area on the Kona coast
of the Big Island of Hawaii
.
One major feature is Pa o ka menehune (which means literally "wall of the ancients"), a breakwater constructed in Ancient Hawaii
that might have once enclosed the entire bay. Since construction of a heiau
using the dry-stack masonry technique (uhau humu pohaku) was a major undertaking, it is unusual to find the concentration of about ten that were built on this bay.
The Kuemanu Heiau is on the north end of the bay. This was used by royalty to view surfing and as a residence.
Nearby the Keawaiki canoe landing site is popular today with local surfers.
Two ancient fishponds called Waikuaala and Poo Hawaii are still visible.
Royal Governor John Adams Kuakini
had a thatched roof house, and
King David Kalākaua
built a beach house in this area which has been reconstructed.
South of the bay is Hāpaialii Heiau, associated with astrological observation, built between 1411 and 1465 and restored in 2007.
The Keeku Heiau was used for human sacrifice (luakini
) and Kapuanoni Heiau were also built just south of the bay.
Petroglyphs thought to depict the defeat of Kamalalawalu of Maui by Lonoikamakahiki can be viewed at low tide near the temples.
Several kuula (sacred stones, said to have been brought from Maui) were monuments to the plentiful fish and Green turtles that are still found in the bay.
On the grounds of a former Kahuna
's house, a Catholic church officially called "Saint Peter's by the Sea" was built in 1880 on Laaloa bay
, and then moved to its present location in 1912, run by the Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic Church Parish.
It is commonly known as "the little blue church", and is used as a landmark for canoe races.
In 1970, the Keauhou Beach Hotel was built on the point South of the bay.
The hotel was bought in 1987 for $13M by the Azabu Building Company, headed by Japanese businessman Kitaro Watanabe. Plans were to enlarge it and build a larger resort combined with the Kona Lagoon Hotel (built in 1975), and more facilities across the street, to be called the Azabu Kona Beach Resort.
There was also a botanical park called Kona Gardens on the uphill (mauka) side of the street.
However, the investors suffered financial problems in the 1990s.
The other properties were abandoned, reverting to the holder of the lease in 1995, the investment arm of Kamehameha Schools
, which eventually also bought the remaining hotel.
In June 1996, three of the executives were arrested in Tokyo, suspected of concealing assets from creditors.
In 1997, the hotel was sold again to Trinity Investments from Chicago.
The 462-room Kona Lagoon Hotel, closed since 1988, had fallen into disrepair.
Local people said the project was "cursed" because of all the sacred sites in the area, and it was torn down in 2004, with long-term plans to restore the historic sites.
The area around the bay was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 as historic district number 74000713 in 1974. The state registry lists it as site 10-37-4150.
The south end of the bay became Kahaluu Beach County Park in 1953, a popular snorkeling
spot, although the beach is rocky with some gray sand.
The parking lot is open 7am - 11pm, and lifeguards are on duty during limited hours.
The Kohala Center sponsors a program called ReefTeach to educate visitors about the preservation of the bay, and has produced some educational videos on the history of the area.
An educational festival festival called the Ocean Fair is held here as part of the Kona Earth Festival, associated with Earth Day
.
The hotel is now called the Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort.
Two more Heiau
s on this point are being reconstructed. Directly south of this point is another historic area, Keauhou Bay
.
Kona District, Hawaii
Kona is the name of a moku or district on the Big Island of Hawaii in the State of Hawaii. In the current system of administration of Hawaii County, the moku of Kona is divided into North Kona District and South Kona District . The term "Kona" is sometimes used to refer to its largest town,...
of the Big Island of Hawaii
Hawaii (island)
The Island of Hawaii, also called the Big Island or Hawaii Island , is a volcanic island in the North Pacific Ocean...
.
Early history
This area has been populated for about 500 years, and in the 18th and 19th centuries was an important royal residence.One major feature is Pa o ka menehune (which means literally "wall of the ancients"), a breakwater constructed in Ancient Hawaii
Ancient Hawaii
Ancient Hawaii refers to the period of Hawaiian human history preceding the unification of the Kingdom of Hawaii by Kamehameha the Great in 1810. After being first settled by Polynesian long-distance navigators sometime between AD 300–800, a unique culture developed. Diversified agroforestry and...
that might have once enclosed the entire bay. Since construction of a heiau
Heiau
A heiau is a Hawaiian temple. Many types of heiau existed, including heiau to treat the sick , offer first fruits, offer first catch, start rain, stop rain, increase the population, ensure health of the nation, achieve success in distant voyaging, reach peace, and achieve success in war . Only the...
using the dry-stack masonry technique (uhau humu pohaku) was a major undertaking, it is unusual to find the concentration of about ten that were built on this bay.
The Kuemanu Heiau is on the north end of the bay. This was used by royalty to view surfing and as a residence.
Nearby the Keawaiki canoe landing site is popular today with local surfers.
Two ancient fishponds called Waikuaala and Poo Hawaii are still visible.
Royal Governor John Adams Kuakini
John Adams Kuakini
John Adams Kiiapalaoku Kuakini was an important adviser to Kamehameha I in the early stages of the Kingdom of Hawaii. He was responsible for much building and other changes in the Kona District during this era.-Family life:...
had a thatched roof house, and
King David Kalākaua
Kalakaua
Kalākaua, born David Laamea Kamanakapuu Mahinulani Nalaiaehuokalani Lumialani Kalākaua and sometimes called The Merrie Monarch , was the last reigning king of the Kingdom of Hawaii...
built a beach house in this area which has been reconstructed.
South of the bay is Hāpaialii Heiau, associated with astrological observation, built between 1411 and 1465 and restored in 2007.
The Keeku Heiau was used for human sacrifice (luakini
Luakini
In ancient Hawai'i, a luakini temple, or luakini heiau, was a Native Hawaiian sacred place where human and animal blood sacrifices were offered....
) and Kapuanoni Heiau were also built just south of the bay.
Petroglyphs thought to depict the defeat of Kamalalawalu of Maui by Lonoikamakahiki can be viewed at low tide near the temples.
Several kuula (sacred stones, said to have been brought from Maui) were monuments to the plentiful fish and Green turtles that are still found in the bay.
More recent history
Across Alii Drive from the bay are the stone ruins of the original Helani Church built in 1861 by Rev. John D. Paris. It was built on the ruins of the Ohiamukumuku Heiau. As the population moved inland, a new Helani Church was constructed at a higher elevation still used by the congregation today.On the grounds of a former Kahuna
Kahuna
Kahuna is a Hawaiian word, defined in the as a "Priest, sorcerer, magician, wizard, minister, expert in any profession." Forty different types of kahuna are listed in the book, Tales from the Night Rainbow...
's house, a Catholic church officially called "Saint Peter's by the Sea" was built in 1880 on Laaloa bay
Laaloa Bay
Laaloa Bay is a popular recreation area in Kailua-Kona, on the Big Island of Hawaii.Also known as "Magic Sands" or "White Sands Beach", the official name is "Laaloa Beach County Park"...
, and then moved to its present location in 1912, run by the Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic Church Parish.
It is commonly known as "the little blue church", and is used as a landmark for canoe races.
In 1970, the Keauhou Beach Hotel was built on the point South of the bay.
The hotel was bought in 1987 for $13M by the Azabu Building Company, headed by Japanese businessman Kitaro Watanabe. Plans were to enlarge it and build a larger resort combined with the Kona Lagoon Hotel (built in 1975), and more facilities across the street, to be called the Azabu Kona Beach Resort.
There was also a botanical park called Kona Gardens on the uphill (mauka) side of the street.
However, the investors suffered financial problems in the 1990s.
The other properties were abandoned, reverting to the holder of the lease in 1995, the investment arm of Kamehameha Schools
Kamehameha Schools
Kamehameha Schools , formerly called Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate , is a private co-educational college-preparatory institution that specializes in Native Hawaiian language and cultural education. It is located in Hawaii and operates three campuses: Kapālama , Pukalani , and Keaau...
, which eventually also bought the remaining hotel.
In June 1996, three of the executives were arrested in Tokyo, suspected of concealing assets from creditors.
In 1997, the hotel was sold again to Trinity Investments from Chicago.
The 462-room Kona Lagoon Hotel, closed since 1988, had fallen into disrepair.
Local people said the project was "cursed" because of all the sacred sites in the area, and it was torn down in 2004, with long-term plans to restore the historic sites.
Recreation
The bay is still used today by surfers, with a surf school across the street from the ancient canoe landing.The area around the bay was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 as historic district number 74000713 in 1974. The state registry lists it as site 10-37-4150.
The south end of the bay became Kahaluu Beach County Park in 1953, a popular snorkeling
Snorkeling
Snorkeling is the practice of swimming on or through a body of water while equipped with a diving mask, a shaped tube called a snorkel, and usually swimfins. In cooler waters, a wetsuit may also be worn...
spot, although the beach is rocky with some gray sand.
The parking lot is open 7am - 11pm, and lifeguards are on duty during limited hours.
The Kohala Center sponsors a program called ReefTeach to educate visitors about the preservation of the bay, and has produced some educational videos on the history of the area.
An educational festival festival called the Ocean Fair is held here as part of the Kona Earth Festival, associated with Earth Day
Earth Day
Earth Day is a day that is intended to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's natural environment. The name and concept of Earth Day was allegedly pioneered by John McConnell in 1969 at a UNESCO Conference in San Francisco. The first Proclamation of Earth Day was by San Francisco, the...
.
The hotel is now called the Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort.
Two more Heiau
Heiau
A heiau is a Hawaiian temple. Many types of heiau existed, including heiau to treat the sick , offer first fruits, offer first catch, start rain, stop rain, increase the population, ensure health of the nation, achieve success in distant voyaging, reach peace, and achieve success in war . Only the...
s on this point are being reconstructed. Directly south of this point is another historic area, Keauhou Bay
Keauhou Bay
Keauhou Bay is a historic area in the Kona District of the Big Island of Hawaii.The name comes from ke au hou which means "the new era" in the Hawaiian Language.-Kamehameha III's Birthplace:...
.