Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park
Information courtesy of National Park Service
Established in 1978 for the preservation, protection and interpretation of traditional native Hawaiian activities and culture, Kaloko-Honokohau NHP is an 1160 acre park full of incredible cultural and historical significance. It is the site of an ancient Hawaiian settlement which encompasses portions of four different ahupua’a, or traditional sea to mountain land divisions. Resources include fishponds, kahua (house site platforms), ki’i pohaku (petroglyphs), holua (stone slide), and heiau (religious site).
At first glance, driving along Highway 19 near Honokohau Harbor, the Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park looks little more than a flat lava flow with alien grasses and shrubs. But check it out. It has some of the nicest shoreline along the Kona Coast, and has a sample of the finest old Hawaiian fishponds to be found anywhere. The middle pond, Aimakapa, is also a very accessible birding hot spot in Hawaii. Aimakapa is an important wetland and an important migrant trap where many unusual and unexpected birds have turned up. The ocean and reef here are an important new Marine Area Reserve. Green sea turtles regualrly haul in to bask here.
Marine portions of the park have sparkling clear waters, and are a popular diving location. Now the waters are in early stages of protection as a Marine Protected Area as well as a National Historical Park. The park waters are closed to taking marine life and specimens for the aquarium trade.
Because the park is still relatively undeveloped, there are very few facilities available within the park. There is a chemical toilet located at Kaloko Pond and at Ai’opio, there is also a composting toilet located along the trail leading from the south end of the park to Honokohau Beach.
Visitors can hike along the coast through the park and enjoy other activities such as: picnicking, fishing, snorkeling, swimming, bird-watching, and surfing.
