Located along the Big Island’s northwestern Kohala Coast is the small port town of Kawaihae. During the 19th century, Kawaihae was a busy trading and whaling port. Kawaihae Harbor is the place where a ship had docked bringing in the first horses and cattle to Hawaii. Kawaihae Harbor was improved in the 1950’s, where it became a deep draft harbor to accommodate more ships coming in. Presently, it is now one of the largest harbors in Hawaii. You will find large cargo ships arriving here bringing goods for the islands of Hawaii. Kawaihae has more of an industrial feel due to the cargo ships coming in and out of it. If you know the movie Waterworld, some of the scenes from this Hollywood flick were shot here.
Other than a few restaurants, some small shops, and a gas station; there isn’t much in Kawaihae. The biggest main attraction in the area, located just south of Kawaihae, is the 83-acre Pu’ukohola Heiau, an ancient war temple that was built by King Kamehameha. North of Kawaihae is Pua Mau Place, another attraction in the area that sits on the western slope of the Kohala Mountain. Pua Mau Place is a botanical garden that showcases ever-blooming plants, unique sculptures, a hibiscus maze with over 200 planted varieties of hibiscus, large lava rocks, and the Magic Circle, which is an arrangement of stones in a circular pattern made to look like the standing stone circles of the Celtics in the British Isles.
Kawaihae may not be the most exotic place to visit on the Big Island, but life still continues here and it is another place to gain a unique Hawaiian experience.
.jpg)