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Thursday, May 1, 2014

Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park


Our first excursion on the Big Island during our February 2014 visit was to Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park.  This 1160 acre park is located about four miles south of the Kona International Airport on the makai or ocean side of Hawaii route 19, Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway.  The park was established in 1978 to preserve, protect and interpret traditional native Hawaiian activities.

The small open-air  Hale Ho'okipa Visitor Contact Station includes an enclosed storage room and restrooms as well as exhibits, a very small bookstore and an area for native volunteers to demonstrate traditional activities.  The Ala Mauka Makai (Mountain-Ocean Trail) meanders 0.7 miles from the contact station to Honokōhau Beach.  Along the way, the trail passes native plants, a fish pond, an animal pen, and ancient rock carvings.

 Hale Ho'okipa Visitor Contact Station

Ala Mauka Makai (Mountain-Ocean Trail)

Native plant in bloom

Ancient ruins and newer lava

Noni plant

The trail passes over solidified lava flows

An old tree struggles to survive in the nearly non-existent soil

Fencing for an animal pen

Ripples solidified in stone

A looping boardwalk preserves teh ancient carvings

Carving of a man

This carving of a man appears upside down along the trail

The papamu (game board) for Kōnane

The trail leads to a beach of  striking contrast: white sand on black lava

A replica Hale ali'i (house of the chiefs)

‘Aī’ōpio (fishtrap)

Lava and sand along the shore

Shallow lagoon

Honokōhau Beach

Green sea turtle in the water

Exposed lava flows

Another sea turtle

Sea turtle 102

Invasive cattle egret

Honokōhau Beach

Green sea turtles on the beach

Entrance to Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park is free.
The park website is http://www.nps.gov/kaho/index.htm.

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