Kaloko-Honokohau
National Historical Park is a 1160 acre park in North Kona with an
ancient Hawaiian fishpond and unique stone fish trap. The park has
three entrances: the north entrance road to Kaloko fishpond, the center
entrance to the Visitor’s center, and the south entrance, within Kona’s
Honokohau Small Boat Harbor, to the ‘Ai’opio fish trap.
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| Kaloko fishpond |
Kaloko
fishpond, the widest and largest fishpond in the state of Hawaii, is on
the northern end of the park.
The
fishpond is accessible by a rough, dirt road behind a gate just north of the
Visitor’s Center gate on Highway 19.
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| Dirt road to Kaloko fish pond from Highway 19 |
The road is deeply rutted which makes for a bumpy ride, but is passable with a regular car
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| Rutted dirt road to Kaloko fishpond |
From the road, you can see the old “King’s Trail” that runs along the coast. The road also passes by ancient rock walls and foundations.
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| Kings Trail |
At the end of the road is a parking lot just a few steps away from the fishpond and a small white sand beach.
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| Kaloko fishpond parking lot |
Kaloko fish pond is very large with a massive rock wall that encloses the fishpond.
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| Kaloko fishpond rock wall |
The wall was restored after 13 years of effort using ancient Hawaiian
building techniques.
Local
Hawaiians with the knowledge of how to create kuapa walls by setting
interlocking stones, without shaping or using cement, rebuilt the impressive
wall. You can walk on top of the solid and stable structure and look down at
the pounding surf. Each stone has been perfectly placed and sits neatly
and securely within all the other stones.
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| Ancient Hawaii stone building |
The
mason workers say that they “listen” to where the stone wants to be
placed. The recreation of a stone wall of this scale and complexity will
hopefully retain the knowledge of Uhau Humu Pohaku (Hawaiian Dry Stack Masonry)
on Hawaii Island.
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| Honokohau Beach |
The
‘Ai’opio fishtrap and Honokohau white sand beach are located at the southern
end of the park. There is a trail to it from the Visitor’s center or
easier access from a south park entrance within Kona’s Honokohau Boat
Harbor. The harbor entrance is at Kealakehe Parkway off Highway 19.
The palm tree lined Kealakehe Parkway has a plaque on the side of the road installed
in 1964 recognizing the Hawaiian Honokohau Settlement as a National Historic
Landmark.
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| Plaque in Honokohau Harbor |
The
park entrance is located near Kona Sailing Club which can be reached by taking
a right turn at the first intersection on Kealakehe Parkway road in the
harbor.
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| South gate to the National Park in the Harbor |
A large parking lot is located on the left and the park gate is
located on the right.
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| Path to fishpond |
Pedestrian
and animals on a leash can pass through the gate to an unpaved park trail that
leads to the coastline. The
trail is rocky from the gate to the beach, not wheelchair accessible, but only
about a half mile to the beach.
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| White sand beach and canoe house |
The
beach in front of the fish trap has a restored canoe house and shade for a
picnic or enjoying the view. Some people bring chairs and spend the
day snorkeling or fishing.
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| 'Ai'opio stone fishtrap |
The
‘Ai’opio fishtrap is an usual stone structure in a 1.7 acre pond. The
stone walls surrounding the pond were low enough to allow fish in during high
tide but high enough to trap the fish at low tide. The fish trap captured
and stored fish as opposed to the fish ponds where fish were raised.
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| Maliu Point |
At
the south end of the beach is Maliu Point Resource Area, a protected historical
area with stone walls and remains of a temple. From the point, there is a
great view of the open ocean.
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| Channel in Kona Honokohau Harbor |
An
alternate walk from the park back to the parking lot is near Mailu Point, where
a gate leads to the side of Kona’s Honokohau Small Boat Harbor channel.
You can walk along the channel where the boats enter and leave the
harbor.
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| Visitors Center in Kaloko Honokohau National Park |
The
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park Visitor’s Center is located 4.2 miles
south of Kona International airport on Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway (Highway 19)
and a half a mile north of the entrance to Kona's Honokohau Harbor. The
center has a large parking area, bathrooms, and a small store. Park
information and maps are available and a park ranger is on site to talk
story. Entrance is free. The gate is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
(park website: nps.gov/kaho)
For descriptions and directions to hundreds of other interesting places to visit on Hawaii Island, check out Your Ideal Hawaii Island Vacation guide in black and white or color versions.
