Kamakahonu Beach  | Hawaii |  | Hawaii County |  |
Guides |
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Address Alii Drive Kailua Kona, HI 96704 |
Hours Never Closes |
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Kamakahonu Beach is located next to the King Kamehameha Hotel and Kailua Pier on Alii Drive in Kailua-Kona.
Description:
On any given day Kamakahonu beach is covered with children. A quite, clam beach tucked into a cove of Kailua Bay the beach offers a shallow, gentle wave, perfect for children thus giving this spot the nickname of the "Keiki" (children) beach.
Located between the Kailua pier and the King Kamehameha hotel on the main street, Alii Drive, in downtown Kailua-Kona, the beach also gets dubbed the "King Kam" beach, for ease and location sake. A very popular spot for tourists and local families, Kamakahonu is easily accessible and in convenient walking distance to the town’s shops and restaurants. Many visitors from the cruise ships and hotels will stop by and use the beach not only because of its location but because it’s a picturesque white sand beach, covered with palm trees and spreads out on a beautiful view of an ancient heiau (sacred temple) and the coastline of Kailua-Kona. There is always a colorful arrangement of bustling activity on the pier and local and tourist children splashing in the water, relaxing on floats or trying to stay cool during the hot Kona days.
Kamakahonu is one of the few beaches on the west side of Hawaii that is home to a dying profession of beach boys. A bamboo shack was built on the sand years back that is home to the Kona Beach Boys. Part one of the beach boy job provides visitors with the opportunity to partake in any and all water sports they might desire. Water enthusiasts can rent snorkel sets, kayaks, take surf lessons or go on outrigger canoe rides. The beach shack is open daily from 8am-5pm. Located directed behind the shack is another water sport operator, Big Island Water Sports, which offers daily snuba and scuba gear and tours. Hawaiian outrigger paddling is a popular sport in the islands the beach is home to a handful of professional outrigger clubs, who use the sand to store canoes and shallow waters to launch their boats from.
The beach boys, a group led by Kalani Nakoa care take and protect the beach and heiau and find part two of their job the most noteworthy. Which is to assist beach-goers in answer any questions pertaining to the historical and cultural significance of the site. Inquiring minds could ask and learn that Kamakahonu beach, translates in English to mean "eye of the turtle" houses one of the oldest sacred temples, the Ahauena Heiau, built in 800 A.D. by a chief named Pili. Centuries later, it was King Kamehameha I that took up a residence at Kamakahonu in the years between 1813-1819 after conquering the other islands. He founded Kailua-Kona as a central location from which to govern and the village became the capitol of the Kingdom of Hawaii until Lahaina and eventually Honolulu replaced it.
The beach is also home to a stone water mirror once used as an implement for studying stars. The beach boys appreciate that people do not remove stones or climb or disturb the temple but encourage visitors to seek out the kahu (keeper/caretaker) ask questions and aid in the act of not just preserving but practicing the Hawaiian culture.
Written By: Hadley Catalano
Photo Credit: Our Auntie Mame
Features
Bathrooms
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Fresh Water
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Parking
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Sandy Beach
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Shady Areas
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Snorkeling
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Swimming Areas
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Kid Friendly
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