Kahaluʻu Bay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Kahaluu Historic District
|
|
Kahaluʻu Bay
|
|
 Location in Hawaii
|
|
| Location | Aliʻi Drive, Kahaluu-Keauhou, Hawaii |
|---|---|
| Area | 700 acres (280 ha) |
| Built | 1500-1749 |
| Architectural style | Ancient Hawaii |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000713 |
| Added to NRHP | December 27, 1974 |
Kahaluʻu Bay is a special place on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. It's located on the Kona coast and is known for its rich history and fun activities. Many people visit this bay to swim, snorkel, and learn about ancient Hawaiian culture.
Contents
A Look Back: Ancient Hawaiian History
People have lived around Kahaluʻu Bay for about 500 years. For a long time, it was an important home for Hawaiian royalty.
Amazing Ancient Structures
One amazing structure here is called Pa o ka menehune. This name means "wall of the ancients." It's a large wall built in Ancient Hawaii that might have once gone all the way around the bay.
Many ancient Hawaiian temples, called heiaus, were built here. Building a heiau was a huge job, especially using the uhau humu pohaku method, which means stacking stones without mortar. It's rare to find so many heiaus in one place, but there are about ten around this bay!
- The Kuʻemanu Heiau is on the north side of the bay. Hawaiian royalty used this temple to watch surfing and as a place to live.
- Close by is the Keawaiki canoe landing. This spot is still popular with local surfers today.
- You can also see two old fishponds, called Waikuaʻala and Poʻo Hawaiʻi.
Royal Connections and Sacred Sites
Many important Hawaiian leaders lived or visited Kahaluʻu Bay:
- Royal Governor John Adams Kuakini had a house with a thatched roof here.
- King David Kalākaua built a beach house in this area, which has been rebuilt.
South of the bay, you'll find the Hāpaialiʻi Heiau. This temple was used to study the stars and was built between 1411 and 1465. It was fixed up in 2007.
Other heiaus were also built nearby, like the Keʻeku Heiau and the Kapuanoni Heiau.
You can also see ancient rock carvings, called petroglyphs, at low tide. These carvings might show a famous battle where Kamalalawalu of Maui was defeated by Lonoikamakahiki.
Several kuʻula stones are also found here. These are sacred stones, said to have come from Maui. They were placed to honor the many fish and Green turtles that still live in the bay.
More Recent History of the Bay
Over time, new buildings and churches were built around Kahaluʻu Bay.
Churches and Landmarks
- Across the street from the bay are the stone ruins of the first Helani Church. It was built in 1861 by Rev. John D. Paris on the site of an older ʻOhiʻamukumuku Heiau. Later, a new Helani Church was built further inland, which is still used today.
- A Catholic church, officially called "Saint Peter's by the Sea," was built in 1880. It was moved to its current spot in 1912 and is now part of the Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic Church Parish. People often call it "the little blue church." It's a well-known landmark, especially for canoe races.
Changes to the Coastline
In 1970, the Keauhou Beach Hotel was built south of the bay. Another hotel, the Kona Lagoon Hotel, was built in 1975. There were plans to make these into a big resort, but the owners faced money problems in the 1990s.
The Kona Lagoon Hotel closed in 1988 and became very run down. Some local people believed the project was "cursed" because of all the sacred sites nearby. The hotel was torn down in 2004, with plans to restore the historic areas.
In 2012, the Keauhou Beach Hotel also closed. It was later taken down to make way for a new cultural and educational center.
The Kahaluʻu Bay District was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 27, 1974. This means it's recognized as a very important historical site.
Fun and Learning: Recreation at Kahaluʻu Bay
Kahaluʻu Bay is still a popular spot for many activities today.
Surfing and Snorkeling
Surfers continue to enjoy the waves here, and there's even a surf school across the street from the old canoe landing. The south end of the bay became Kahaluʻu Beach County Park in 1953. It's a favorite place for snorkeling, even though the beach has some rocks and gray sand. The park is open from 7 AM to 11 PM, and lifeguards are on duty during certain hours to keep everyone safe.
Protecting the Bay
Organizations like The Kohala Center help teach visitors about how to protect the bay's delicate reef. They have a program called ReefTeach and have made videos about the area's history. An educational event called the Ocean Fair is also held here as part of the Kona Earth Festival, which celebrates Earth Day.
Two more Heiaus on this point are being rebuilt, showing the ongoing effort to preserve this special place. Just south of this area is another historic spot, Keauhou Bay.
Images for kids
-
The County Park is a popular snorkeling spot
-
St. Peter by the Sea Catholic Church
-
Ruins of 1860 Helani Church
-
Ancient canoe landing still used by surfers
-
Kona Earth Festival Ocean Fair 2009
-
Kuʻula stones were monuments to the plentiful fish
-
Hāpaialiʻi Heiau was restored in 2007
-
Reconstructed King Kalākaua beach house on Poʻo Hawaiʻi
-
Two snorkelers swimming with a Green sea turtle in Kahaluu Beach Park
.jpg)
