Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE END OF THE WORLD
Rarely do geographic titles so convincingly live up to their names, but then comes
Keauhou's
End of the World
(Kuamo'o Bay; ; Ali'i Dr)
. A Mordoresque lava plain of jagged
ʻaʻarock crinkles to the deep blue coast, and then drops steeply into the ocean.
Sometimes the waves crash like thunderheads on the rocks, sometimes the ocean
is calm as a pond and, often, local teenagers jump off the cliffs into the water. It's a
lot of fun but is best not attempted unless you're a strong swimmer and are with a
group of friends. To get here, drive all the way to the end of Aliʻi Dr and look for a
trailhead to the water. It's a short, rocky hike to the cliffs.
The End of the World marked the end of an era. When Kamehameha the Great's
son Liholiho (Kamehameha II) was crowned king, the new monarch took major
steps to abolish the rigid kapu, or taboo system that regulated daily life. So Liho-
liho took the then-drastic step of eating at a table with women. His cousin, Chief
Kekauokalani, was incensed (or perhaps he coveted the crown, or maybe a bit of
both) and challenged Liholiho to battle at the End of the World. In the resulting
Battle of Kuamoʻo some 300 were killed, including Kekauokalani and his wife. The
dead were interned in cairns on the lava field, Liholiho's rule was firmly established,
and the kapu system was broken.
AROUND KAILUA-KONA
Immediately south of Kailua-Kona is upscale Keauhou, a conglomeration of time-shares,
condos and mainland amenities. In the mountains to the southeast is the dropped-in-am-
ber town of Holualoa, now an intriguing artists community. Just north of Kailua-Kona is
Honokohau Harbor, jump-off point for the lion's share of the area's maritime tours.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Keauhou Resort Area
Keauhou is a taste of the US mainland in the tropics, replete with chain shops and shop-
ping centers. It's also like the mainland (well, the suburban mainland) in the sense that
there is no town center, unless you count the mall. Rather, there's a collection of destina-
tions: Keauhou Harbor for boat tours; Kahalu'u Beach for snorkeling and surfing; resorts
and condos for sleeping; a farmers market and good restaurants; and a significant ancient
Hawaiian settlement.
