A trip to Kealakekua Bay.

Kealakekua Bay

Kealakekua Bay is one of the most significant site in all of the Hawaiian Islands and probably second for the Big Island.  Second only to Ka Lae, commonly called South Point where the ancestors of the Hawaiian people first discovered the islands.  Kealakekua Bay is the location where Captain Cook made  harbor in the islands and is the site where he was killed.  Across the bay out on that flat point is a small square patch of ground where there is a monument to Captain Cook.  That small patch of ground is actually British territory, ceded to England.  Every time a British Navy vessel is in the area they stop and perform maintenance on their monument.  

The time of Cook's arrival was very timely in that the Hawaiians were in the middle of their Makahiki festival a time when the god Lono symbolically returned from his travels.  Because of this timing many historians believe the Hawaiians thought that Captain Cook was indeed the god Lono-i-ka-makahiki.

On the Napo'opo'o side of the bay is the Hikiau Heiau. Because this Heiau was dedicated to their god Lono and Lono came to the Hawaiians from the sea, this further supported the Hawaiians belief that Captain Cook was indeed Lono.  This Heiau is still located on the original spot and has the distinction of being the first site of a Christian service performed in the islands when Captain Cook held a burial service for one of his seamen. In the side of the wall of the Heiau is a plaque commemorating the service as shown to the right.  If you click on the photo, you will be shown a larger photo of the plaque.

There is a rocky beach here as shown below and the bay is a favorite spot for snorkeling and fishing.  You can get snorkel excursions at the Kailua-Kona harbor and I would definitely recommend one if you are a snorkeling fan.  

The Big Island of Hawaii is the youngest island in the chain, so it has the clearest water.  Kealakekua bay may very well have the clearest water of any place in the islands as you can literally see down to the bottom in deep water. 

On the way from Kailua-Kona after you turn off of the main highway there is a coffee museum where there was this seemingly friendly donkey.  He seemed friendly until I spied the sign that said the thing could bite. We decided on just taking his photo and forgoing trying to pet him.  By the way, the coffee in the museum was very good and they had several interesting gifts.  They also had a video presentation that covered various subjects about Hawaii you can watch while sipping your coffee.  Another thing you will find as you drive off the beaten path, so to speak, is the wonderful flora along the roadside.  I snapped these photos on the way to the bay.  The jacaranda trees were in full bloom.  They were abundant as we made our way down to the bay.  Also many other patches of color would just pop out of the side of the roadway.

One thing about driving through the Hawaiian countryside, you will want to be sure to bring your camera.

Posted by Richard Binckley at 1/26/2006 1:55 PM | View Comments | Add Comment |