Walk Back In Time Along This 4-Mile Coastal Trail In Hawaii That Leads To Abandoned Ruins
By Megan Shute|Published February 10, 2019
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
From the first Europeans visiting the islands in 1778 and the establishment of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1795 to Hawaii’s admittance to the United States of America in 1959, the Hawaiian Islands are steeped in history — and sites full of history. Though the Hawaiian Islands are home to several fascinating historic parks, there is only one spot that we can claim as one of Hawaii’s best-kept secrets: Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park.
Nestled along the coast of Hawaii Island just north of Kailua-Kona is this one-of-a-kind historic site that not only teaches visitors about Hawaiian history but provides them with a stunning hiking trail that will take you on a journey back in time.
Named for the two ancient ahupua’a (land divisions) that it covers, the Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park was established in 1978, though it existed in a fairly undeveloped state until recent years. The addition of a new visitor center, restrooms, and trail markers has made it a must-visit destination for outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs alike.
When it comes to ancient Hawaiian culture, this park has it all: fishponds, a fish trap, heiau ruins, abandoned homes and other structures, a canoe hale, rock art, impressive petroglyph fields, and even a freshwater-fed pool surrounded my mysterious mounds.
A loop trail around the entire park measures in at approximately 4 miles, though you can visit locations individually for shorter hikes if you would prefer.
There are three main trailheads you can begin from: near the Ho’okipa Welcome House (the main visitor center for the park), off Kaloko Road, and at Honokohau Harbor. No matter where you start, you’ll enjoy an outdoor adventure full of natural beauty and Hawaiian history.
If you love history and hiking as much as we do, you'll want to plan a walk back in time along the 4-mile trail found within the Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park. So, what are you waiting for?
Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park is located in Kailua-Kona and is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, you can visit the National Park Service’s website. If you love Hawaii’s unique history as much as we do, you’ll want to click here to discover one of the most unique historic sites in Hawaii.
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