Royal
Footsteps Along the Kona Coast Scenic Byway covers the entire length of Ali‘i
Drive, seven miles of roadway and over seven centuries of Hawaiian Royalty
archaeological, historic and cultural traditions that have shaped Hawai‘i into
what it is today.
By
whatever means (vehicle, transit, bicycle or on foot,) following the footsteps
of ancient royalty and embracing the scenic beauty, natural and archaeological
features, historic sites, associated cultural traditions and recreational
opportunities will give the traveler a greater appreciation and understanding
of Hawai‘i’s past and sense of place in the world.
Here are
selected Points of Interest along the Scenic Byway:
1 -
Kailua Seawall - first built in 1900, the
entry to Historic Kailua Village begins on Ali‘i Drive where its oceanfront
promenade offers sweeping vistas of Kailua Bay, from Kamakahonu and Kailua Pier
to Hulihe‘e Palace
2 - Pa o
‘Umi - marks the location of the landing and residence of the ruler
‘Umi-a-liloa (‘Umi) (ca. AD 1490-1525.)
Modern seawall and road construction has covered most of Pa o ‘Umi
3 - Hulihe‘e
Palace – built in 1838, Kona's only existing royal palace and one of three
palaces in the United States
4 - Moku‘aikaua
Church – built in 1837, it is the oldest Christian Church in Hawai‘i
5 - Hale
Halawai - means “meeting house” and serves as a community meeting facility
under the County Parks and Recreation program
6 - Ōneo
Bay - scenic panoramic views of the shoreline and seasonal surfing -favorite
place for residents and visitors to enjoy Kona’s famous sunsets
7 - Wai‘aha
Beach Park - also known as Honl’s - "birth-beach and the birthplace"
of modern bodyboarding (in 1971, Tom Morey created boogie board and first used
it here)
8 –
Kahului Bay - nicknamed Tiki’s after the adjacent small hotel (Kona Tiki
Hotel,) lovely ocean vista
9 – Hale
Halawai O Hōlualoa - stone church structure was built entirely by native
Hawaiians under the direction of John D. Paris 1850-55
10 - Puapua‘a
- popular local surf spot that once served as a canoe landing, now referred to
as “Banyans”
11 – Hōlualoa
Bay - oral traditions suggest King Kamehameha I learned to excel in board and
canoe surfing in these very waters
12 - Hōlualoa Royal Center - Hōlualoa Royal Center
includes Kamoa Point/Keolonahihi Complex, Keakealaniwahine Residential Complex
and Kaluaokalani
13 – Jud
Trail - constructed between 1849 and 1859 and intended to link the Kona area
with Hilo - construction was abandoned when portions of the trail were covered
by a lava flow in 1859
14 – Pāhoehoe
Beach Park - County park with picnic and portable restroom facilities. Ocean access is via coral rubble and rocky
shore
15 -
La‘aloa Beach Park - also known as White Sands, Magic Sands or Disappearing
Sands
16 –
La‘aloa Bay - small cove on the south side of the parking lot, entry point for
snorkelers and divers
17 –
Ku‘emanu Heiau - overlooks Kahalu‘u Bay and is associated with surfing -
adjacent Waikui Pond was convenient for chiefs to bathe after an ocean outing
18 - St.
Peter's by the Sea Catholic Church – originally built in 1880, the church was
dismantled and carried piece by piece to its present site at Kahalu'u in 1912
19 - Kahalu‘u
Bay Beach Park - served as the Royal Center of Ali‘i, residence of
Lonoikamakahiki ca. 1640-1660 and oral histories note its use by Alapa‘inui,
Kalani‘ōpu‘u and Kamehameha — successive rulers from 1740-1760 on
20 -
Helani Church –‘Ōhi‘amukumuku Heiau – old Helani Church (built in 1861 by Rev.
John D. Paris) built atop the former ‘Ōhi‘amukumuku Heiau
21 -
Hāpaiali‘i Heiau and Ke‘ekū Heiau - Hāpaiali‘i Heiau was built around
1411-1465; Ke‘ekū Heiau - after building it, Lonoikamakahiki attacked and defeated
Kamalalawalu, king of Maui
22 -
Mākole‘ā Heiau - also known as Ke‘ekūpua‘a, built (or consecrated) by
Lonoikamakahiki and that it was used for prayers in general
23 -
Heritage Corridor Overlook - pull out on Ali‘i Drive includes interpretive sign
explaining the archaeological and historical significance of the lands of
Kahalu‘u and Keauhou
24 -
Royal Hōlua Slide - stone ramp nearly one mile in length that culminated at
He‘eia Bay - this is the largest and best-preserved hōlua course, used in the
extremely dangerous toboggan-like activity
25 -
Lekeleke Burial Grounds - Following the death of Kamehameha I in 1819, Liholiho
declared an end to the kapu system; Kekuaokalani (Liholiho’s cousin) and his
wife Manono opposed the abolition and went to battle, here is the burial ground
S-1 -
Kamakahonu Royal Center at Kailua Bay - residential compound of Kamehameha I
from 1813 until his death in 1819; the center of political power in the
Hawaiian kingdom during Kamehameha’s golden years
S-2 -
Ahu‘ena Heiau - reconstructed by King Kamehameha the Great between 1812-1813;
he dedicated it to Lono, god of healing and prosperity of the land
S-3 -
Keauhou Royal Center at Keauhou Bay - ocean access at Keauhou Bay is superb
and, just as boats use it today, canoe landings once dotted the shore. The royal canoe landing of King Kamehameha I
was located at Pueo Cove
S-4 -
Kamehameha III (Kauikeaouli) Birthsite - son of Kamehameha I and high chiefess
Keōpūolani, he was ruler of the Kingdom of Hawai‘i for thirty years from
1825-1854
We
prepared the Corridor Management Plan (CMP) for the Royal Footsteps Along the
Kona Coast Scenic Byway, the first CMP to be accepted by the State of Hawai‘i
Department of Transportation.
We are
proud and honored that American Planning Association-Hawai‘i Chapter selected
Royal Footsteps Along the Kona Coast for the “Environment/Preservation Award”, Historic
Hawaiʻi Foundation awarded the 2011 Historic Preservation Commendation and Kona-Kohala
Chamber of Commerce awarded the 2011 Pualu Award for Culture & Heritage.
The
image shows the Royal Footsteps map; in addition, images of each of the sites
are added to a folder of like name in the Photos section of my Facebook page.
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