Kawaihae, Hawaii facts for kids
Kawaihae is a small town on the west side of the Big Island in Hawaii. It's about 35 miles (56 km) north of Kailua-Kona. Kawaihae has one of the three main harbors on the island, along with Hilo and Honokohau Harbor. This makes it an important place for ships and boats.
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What is Kawaihae Like?
Kawaihae has a busy harbor. It has places for ships to get fuel and load goods. There is also a spot where the military can land. Outside the harbor's wall, there's a popular surf spot. It's called the Pua Kailima o Kawaihae Cultural Surf Park.
The small town has a few restaurants and art galleries. North of the harbor, you'll find the Kawaihae Canoe Club. There's also a small boat ramp there. To the south is Puʻukoholā Heiau. This is a national historic site. It's an ancient Hawaiian temple built by King Kamehameha I in 1791. Nearby are two other temples: the smaller Mailekini Heiau and the Hale o Kapuni Heiau. The Hale o Kapuni Heiau is a shark temple that is now underwater.
Kawaihae's Past
Kawaihae was once a very important place in Hawaiian history. In the late 1700s, its naturally protected bay was a good spot for Western ships. Many early European explorers and traders stopped here. They would repair their ships and get supplies.
Early Explorers and Kings
The area of Kawaihae was first seen by James King in 1779. He was sailing with Captain Cook. They were looking for a safe place to anchor their ships.
Kawaihae became the main home for King Kamehameha I from 1790 to 1794. He built the Puʻukoholā Heiau here. This was a very important temple. Kamehameha also lived in a royal area called "Pelekane." This name came from the Hawaiian word for Britain.
Kamehameha's British helper, John Young, also lived near Kawaihae. You can still see the remains of his home. It is believed to be the first Western-style house in Hawaii. Another British explorer, George Vancouver, visited Kamehameha here in 1793. He brought cattle to Hawaii for the first time. Later, Kawaihae became a main center for shipping cattle. This happened after the Parker Ranch was started.
A Changing Harbor
In 1820, the first American missionaries arrived in Hawaii at Kawaihae. They came on a ship called the Thaddeus. Kawaihae was busy during the time of the sandalwood trade. This trade involved cutting down sandalwood trees from the forests. It was also important during the whaling age. Whalers and merchant ships visited the harbor every year. They would get food and beef from the area.
But by the late 1800s, Kawaihae became less important. Whaling ended, and many people moved away. It became a quiet village. It was mainly used for loading cattle.
Building the Modern Harbor
The United States Army Corps of Engineers made the harbor deeper. They also built the breakwall between 1957 and 1959. This helped the village become important again. In 1970, work began on a small boat harbor. This project was a test. It showed how powerful explosives could be used to create harbors in hard rock.
Kawaihae was also a filming location for the movie Waterworld. The floating island used in the movie was just off the coast. The movie's headquarters were at the harbor.
See also
In Spanish: Kawaihae para niños
