Hello Friends and Family,
Link to this year's index by clicking here.
The Big Island: Kailua-Kona, Part 2 |
The oceanfront along Kailua Bay is considered the heart and soul of Kailua-Kona. The seawall protects the sidewalks, street and shops from ocean waves which can be large enough to soak the unsuspecting tourist even on a relatively calm day (note the water on top of the seawall and on the sidewalk). |
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More along my expectations is the King Kamehameha Hotel. I stayed here for a few nights on my first visit to Kona. I loved the hotel because of the numerous displays of Hawai`ian artifacts in the lobby and shop areas. The hotel is situated on one of the most historic sites in all of Hawai`i. King Kamehameha the Great established his royal residence adjacent to the current site of his namesake hotel. Two surprises during this visit. The first is that the hotel is now owned by Courtyard by Marriott and its official name is Courtyard King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel. The second surprise was that in March of 2011, a tsunami hit Kailua-Kona and did moderate damage to the lobby and shops. It is all cleaned up now and back to its pre-tsunami condition. |
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Additionally, three historic events occurred here which established Ahu'ena Heiau as one of the most historically significant sites in all of Hawai`i: 1. King Kamehameha I died on this site on May 8, 1819. 2. Kamehameha's son, Liholiho, who became king of Hawai`i following his father's death, ended the kapu system, which was the rigid system of laws that had been in effect for many years. 3. In 1820, the first Christian missionaries from New England were granted permission to come ashore here. |
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In the heiau, the dominant image was of Kalaemoku, a chief deified for his healing of acute diseases. Carved upon Kalaemoku's helmet was a perched bird. Note that the public is not allowed to enter the heiau. |
To be continued.
Life is good.
Aloha,
B. David
P. S., All photos and text © B. David Cathell Photography, Inc. — www.bdavidcathell.com