Kaupulehu, Hawaii facts for kids
Kaʻūpūlehu is a historic place on the west coast of Hawaiʻi island. This is the biggest island in the Hawaiian Islands. Long ago, a settlement was here. A huge lava flow from a volcano destroyed much of the area. Today, fancy hotels like the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai are built here.
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Where is Kaʻūpūlehu Located?
Kaʻūpūlehu is found in the northern part of the Kona district. Its name means "the roasted breadfruit" in the Hawaiian language. You can reach this area from the lower Hawaii Belt Road. This road is also known as Route 19 or Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway.
How a Volcano Changed Kaʻūpūlehu
In the year 1800, the Hualālai volcano erupted. The hot lava flowed all the way to the sea near Kaʻūpūlehu. Old stories say that a bay and fishponds were destroyed by this lava. The lava flow itself is named after Kaʻūpūlehu. There is also a crater on the side of Hualālai volcano called Kaʻūpūlehu Crater. It is about 6,000 feet high.
The Capture of the Fair American
Quick facts for kids Capture of the Fair American |
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|---|---|
| Location | Kaʻūpūlehu, Hawaiʻi |
| Date | 1790 |
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Attack type
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Attack on a ship |
| Deaths | 4 killed, 1 captured |
| Victim | Crew of the Fair American |
| Perpetrators | Kameʻeiamoku and Hawaiian warriors |
In 1790, a local chief named Kameʻeiamoku met Captain Simon Metcalfe. Metcalfe was on his ship, the Eleanora. He was trading furs during the winter. Something the chief did upset Captain Metcalfe. The captain had Kameʻeiamoku whipped. This act would cause big problems later on. The Eleanora then sailed to the island of Maui to trade and get supplies. To get revenge for a stolen boat and a killed watchman, Metcalfe fired his cannons at the people of Olowalu. This killed and hurt hundreds of people.
Revenge and Important Allies
About five or six weeks later, a smaller ship belonging to the Eleanora arrived. This ship was a schooner called the Fair American. It was led by Captain Metcalfe's son, Thomas Humphrey Metcalfe. The Metcalfes had planned to meet at Kealakekua Bay. But Kameʻeiamoku was waiting for his revenge. The Fair American had only five crew members. They were easily attacked. Four of them were killed, including Thomas Metcalfe. The only person who survived was Isaac Davis. When King Kamehameha I heard about what happened, another sailor was captured. This was John Young. He had come ashore from the Eleanora to ask about the Fair American. King Kamehameha decided to let Davis and Young live. They became very important helpers and military advisors for him. They helped him in his battles and when he talked with visitors.
A Key to Victory
The guns from the Fair American were saved. The schooner was made ready to sail again. With its cannons operated by Isaac Davis and John Young, the Fair American helped King Kamehameha win the Battle of Kepaniwai on Maui. This victory led to Kamehameha taking control of all the Hawaiian Islands. Simon Metcalfe eventually left the island. He never knew that his actions had caused his own son's death.
Kona Village Resort
The Kaʻūpūlehu area was mostly empty until 1961. That's when a Texas investor named John H. Jackson built the Kona Village Resort. At first, all the building materials came by boat. Later, a small airstrip was built. Instead of tall concrete buildings, the resort used traditional island style. It had individual houses that fit in with the natural surroundings. The airstrip is now used for helicopters.
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
The Four Seasons company, based in Toronto, Canada, opened a resort here in 1996. The resort uses natural materials from Hawaii. These include rattan, bamboo, and lava rock. It has won many awards. Travel + Leisure magazine named it one of the world's best resorts several times. Condé Nast Traveler also put it on their "Gold list" for best resorts.
Golf and Fun Activities
As of 2009, the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai was one of only three hotels in Hawaii to win the AAA Five Diamond Award. This is a very high honor for hotels. A famous golfer, Jack Nicklaus, designed the 18-hole golf course. Golf Magazine said it was one of the best courses in America in 2002. It also hosts a big golf tournament every year called the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai. The resort also has spa services, five swimming pools, and fitness centers. A famous chef named Alan Wong had a restaurant at the resort from 2003 to 2008.
Kūkiʻo Development
In 1999, another golf course and expensive vacation homes were built to the south. This area is called Kūkiʻo. It was made even bigger to the north in 2007. The company that first built it was the Discovery Land Company. The Kona Shuttle is a private airline for members. It flies weekly to the resorts in Kaʻūpūlehu. These flights are mostly run by KaiserAir. In the Hawaiian Language, Kū kiʻo means "small pool of water." Fishing in this area is carefully managed.
