Kohala, Hawaii facts for kids
Kohala is a special area on the northwest side of the Big Island in the Hawaiian Archipelago. Long ago, it was often ruled by its own powerful chief called an Aliʻi Nui. Today, Kohala is split into two main parts: North Kohala and South Kohala.
When people talk about Kohala, they often mean the towns of Halaʻula, Hāwī, and Kapaʻau. The western coast of Kohala is very dry and is known as the Kohala Coast. This area has many golf courses and beautiful resorts right by the ocean.
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Exploring Kohala: A Unique Landscape
Kohala gets its name from the Kohala Mountain. This mountain is the oldest of the five big volcanoes that make up the Big Island. The areas of North and South Kohala cover the northern and western sides of this ancient mountain.
Long ago, the island was divided into five main sections called moku, and Kohala was one of them.
Amazing Nature and Weather
The weather in Kohala changes a lot over a short distance. On the coast near Kawaihae, it can get less than 5 inches (127 mm) of rain each year. But just 11 miles (18 km) away, near the top of Kohala Mountain, it can rain more than 150 inches (3,810 mm) a year!
Near the coast, you can still find parts of dry forests. These forests are used to very little rain. Up near the mountain's summit, there's a special kind of rainforest called a cloud forest. This forest gets some of its water from "cloud drip," which is moisture from clouds, in addition to rain.
Because of all this rain, the northeast coast of Kohala became a great place for sugarcane plantations. One famous plantation was started by Reverend Elias Bond. The money from his plantation helped fund his church and a school for girls.
A Look Back: Kohala's History
Ancient Sites and King Kamehameha
The Kohala Historical Sites State Monument is home to Moʻokini Heiau. A heiau is a sacred temple or place of worship in ancient Hawaii. This particular heiau is a very important historical landmark.
King Kamehameha I, who was the first king to unite all the Hawaiian Islands, was born in North Kohala. His birthplace was near the ancient Moʻokini Heiau, west of Hāwī. This heiau is not just an old building; it is still a living spiritual place for Hawaiian culture.
You can see the original Kamehameha Statue in front of the community center in Kapaʻau. There are also copies of this statue in Honolulu at Aliʻiolani Hale and inside the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C.
The Bond Family's Legacy
The Bond Historic District is located in North Kohala. It includes buildings from the 1800s that belonged to the Bond family. They were missionaries and early settlers in the area. The district has three main parts:
- Bond Homestead: This was the Bond family's home. It was built in the 1840s by Ellen and Reverend Elias Bond and later expanded by their family.
- Kalahikiola Church: A church built by the Bond family.
- Kohala Seminary: A school that was part of the Bond family's mission.
Fun Things to See and Do
Kohala has many interesting places to visit:
- Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area: A beautiful beach perfect for swimming and relaxing.
- Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site: Another important ancient temple built by King Kamehameha I.
- Lapakahi State Historical Park: An old Hawaiian fishing village that shows what life was like long ago.
Getting Around Kohala
There are a few main roads in Kohala. The Akoni Pule Highway (Hawaii state route 270) takes you to Pololū Valley, which has amazing views. The Hawaii Belt Road connects the southern part of Akoni Pule Highway to Kona in the south and Hāmākua to the east.
The Kohala Mountain Road (Highway 250) is a scenic route that links Waimea with the towns of Halaʻula, Hāwī, and Kapaʻau. Along this road, you'll see lots of ranch land, which might be a surprise to some visitors!
Kohala also has two small airports. Upolu Airport is at the very northern tip of the island. Waimea-Kohala Airport is south of the town of Waimea. You can fly into Waimea Airport with Mokulele Airlines.
Towns and Villages in Kohala
North Kohala Towns
South Kohala Towns
Famous People from Kohala
- Auliʻi Cravalho: A talented actress and singer, known for voicing Moana in the Disney movie.
