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Big Island of Hawaii Sights
Location: Kona
The Kona Historical Society Museum is actually housed in the H.N. Greenwell Store, a restored general store originally built in 1875 to serve the needs of the Euro-American residents living in Kona at the time.
Inside, costumed guides will show you recreated merchandise from the time period. There are also plenty of historical panels which illustrate what life was like in decades past in Kona.
The Kona Historical Society Museum is actually housed in the H.N. Greenwell Store, a restored general store originally built in 1875 to serve the needs of the Euro-American residents living in Kona at the time.
Inside, costumed guides will show you recreated merchandise from the time period. There are also plenty of historical panels which illustrate what life was like in decades past in Kona.
Location: Hilo Town
Located on the banks of the Wailoa River, the park offers many places to wander and relax. The park encircles Waiakea Pond, a spring-fed estuary with many saltwater species to observe. Here is where you will find an ornate statue in the likeness of King Kamehameha off Bishop Drive. There are also two memorials, one in honor of Vietnam veterans and another to honor tsunami victims. The Wailoa Center, located off Pauahi Street, often features changing cultural displays.
Located on the banks of the Wailoa River, the park offers many places to wander and relax. The park encircles Waiakea Pond, a spring-fed estuary with many saltwater species to observe. Here is where you will find an ornate statue in the likeness of King Kamehameha off Bishop Drive. There are also two memorials, one in honor of Vietnam veterans and another to honor tsunami victims. The Wailoa Center, located off Pauahi Street, often features changing cultural displays.
Location: Hilo Town
While this is not technically a “park” it is definitely worth a quick drive through.
As you circle around Waiakea Peninsula, you will notice that many of the banyan trees have small plaques in honor of the person that planted them. You will see names like Amelia Earhart, F.D.R., and Sen. Richard Nixon (whose tree died and had to be replanted). Banyan Drive is also the location for most of Hilo’s hotels and the Naniloa Golf Course.
While this is not technically a “park” it is definitely worth a quick drive through.
As you circle around Waiakea Peninsula, you will notice that many of the banyan trees have small plaques in honor of the person that planted them. You will see names like Amelia Earhart, F.D.R., and Sen. Richard Nixon (whose tree died and had to be replanted). Banyan Drive is also the location for most of Hilo’s hotels and the Naniloa Golf Course.
Location: Kohala
Between the 23 and 24 mile markers on Highway 270 in Kohala look to your right for a view of a statue of King Kamehameha in the town of Kapa'au. The statue before you has survived an incredible adventure. In 1879 the Hawaiian Kingdom commissioned American sculptor Thomas R. Gould to create a statue to honor King Kamehameha. A year after its completion in Gould's studio in Rome, it was sent to Paris to be cast in bronze and finally shipped from Germany.
Between the 23 and 24 mile markers on Highway 270 in Kohala look to your right for a view of a statue of King Kamehameha in the town of Kapa'au. The statue before you has survived an incredible adventure. In 1879 the Hawaiian Kingdom commissioned American sculptor Thomas R. Gould to create a statue to honor King Kamehameha. A year after its completion in Gould's studio in Rome, it was sent to Paris to be cast in bronze and finally shipped from Germany.
Location: Kona
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park is a 1,160 acre area on the Kona coast. Established as a park in 1978, development and preservation is on going, but you do have to opportunity to explore two ancient fish ponds, Aimakapa and Kaloko, as well as Aio'pio fish trap.
This hot, lava strewn landscape held great spiritual significance for the ancient Hawaiians who decided to settle here. They used their skills to establish fish ponds and traps to provide abundant sources of food and to build several heiau which can be seen today.
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park is a 1,160 acre area on the Kona coast. Established as a park in 1978, development and preservation is on going, but you do have to opportunity to explore two ancient fish ponds, Aimakapa and Kaloko, as well as Aio'pio fish trap.
This hot, lava strewn landscape held great spiritual significance for the ancient Hawaiians who decided to settle here. They used their skills to establish fish ponds and traps to provide abundant sources of food and to build several heiau which can be seen today.
Location: Central Hawaii
Mauna Kea State Recreation Area encompasses 20 acres within the Mauna Kea Forest Reserve but is also very close to the Pohakuloa Military Reservation. Recreation opportunities at Mauna Kea state park include camping, picnicking, hiking and viewing scenery. At 6,500 feet the park has cooler temperatures than coastal areas. Be prepared with layers if camping at this site.
Mauna Kea State Recreation Area encompasses 20 acres within the Mauna Kea Forest Reserve but is also very close to the Pohakuloa Military Reservation. Recreation opportunities at Mauna Kea state park include camping, picnicking, hiking and viewing scenery. At 6,500 feet the park has cooler temperatures than coastal areas. Be prepared with layers if camping at this site.
Location: Kohala
Lapakahi State Historical Park is located just before mile marker 14 on Highway 270 in Kohala. Six hundred years ago this land was discovered by the Hawaiians, and it has remained much the same since that time. The park staff has dutifully preserved and restored several structures in order to give visitors a glimpse into the past and what it was like to live on this side of the Big Island. When you enter the park make sure to find the trailhead on your left and pick up a brochure which will guide you through the 23 stops on the path.
Lapakahi State Historical Park is located just before mile marker 14 on Highway 270 in Kohala. Six hundred years ago this land was discovered by the Hawaiians, and it has remained much the same since that time. The park staff has dutifully preserved and restored several structures in order to give visitors a glimpse into the past and what it was like to live on this side of the Big Island. When you enter the park make sure to find the trailhead on your left and pick up a brochure which will guide you through the 23 stops on the path.
Location: Kona
This historic landmark is located near the seawall on Ali'i Drive in Kona. Hulihe'e Palace, managed by the Daughters of Hawai'i, is one of only three royal homes in the United States. Unfortunately it sustained heavy damage during the October 2006 earthquake which has significantly limited the number of visitors and tours it can sustain. The quake caused cracks in the exterior plaster was well as damage to inside ceiling cornices.
Built in 1838 by Governor John Adams Kuakini, King Kamehameha's cousin, Hulihe'e was a vacation spot of Hawaiian Royalty. Its expansive lawn and stately palm trees offered a lovely playground. Before the earthquake both the first and second floors were filled with artifacts from Hawaii's ruling class from ancient tools to royal dress. Upstairs royal bedrooms were preserved. It is likely however that access to the second floor will be restricted for some time.
This historic landmark is located near the seawall on Ali'i Drive in Kona. Hulihe'e Palace, managed by the Daughters of Hawai'i, is one of only three royal homes in the United States. Unfortunately it sustained heavy damage during the October 2006 earthquake which has significantly limited the number of visitors and tours it can sustain. The quake caused cracks in the exterior plaster was well as damage to inside ceiling cornices.
Built in 1838 by Governor John Adams Kuakini, King Kamehameha's cousin, Hulihe'e was a vacation spot of Hawaiian Royalty. Its expansive lawn and stately palm trees offered a lovely playground. Before the earthquake both the first and second floors were filled with artifacts from Hawaii's ruling class from ancient tools to royal dress. Upstairs royal bedrooms were preserved. It is likely however that access to the second floor will be restricted for some time.
Location: Hilo Town
This small museum provides a wealth of multimedia information on tsunamis and their effect on the Pacific islands. Docents, many of whom are actual tsunami survivors, are more than happy to share their experiences and guide guests through the displays. Television sets are anchored throughout the museum and play short videos to accompany the stories recounted on the walls. There are several interactive displays, including one that teaches visitors about the Tsunami Warning System by allowing them “create” a tsunami and then decide whether or not it is strong enough to warrant evacuation.
This small museum provides a wealth of multimedia information on tsunamis and their effect on the Pacific islands. Docents, many of whom are actual tsunami survivors, are more than happy to share their experiences and guide guests through the displays. Television sets are anchored throughout the museum and play short videos to accompany the stories recounted on the walls. There are several interactive displays, including one that teaches visitors about the Tsunami Warning System by allowing them “create” a tsunami and then decide whether or not it is strong enough to warrant evacuation.
Location: Kona
The steeple of the Mokuaikaua Church reaches toward heaven amid the tourist shops and restaurants on Ali'i Drive, a testament to the industriousness and belief of Hawai'i's first Christian missionaries. Construction of the church began in 1820 with the blessing of King Liholiho, the late King Kamehameha's son and was completed in 1837. After his father's death and before the missionaries' arrival, Liholiho had abolished the strict kapu system and was dismantling the old temples.
Having already been familiar with Christianity, which was originally brought to the islands in the 1700s with Capt. James Cook, the Hawaiian people were open to learning about the faith.
The steeple of the Mokuaikaua Church reaches toward heaven amid the tourist shops and restaurants on Ali'i Drive, a testament to the industriousness and belief of Hawai'i's first Christian missionaries. Construction of the church began in 1820 with the blessing of King Liholiho, the late King Kamehameha's son and was completed in 1837. After his father's death and before the missionaries' arrival, Liholiho had abolished the strict kapu system and was dismantling the old temples.
Having already been familiar with Christianity, which was originally brought to the islands in the 1700s with Capt. James Cook, the Hawaiian people were open to learning about the faith.
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