Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Surfers head to the point just south of Manini Beach. The park has portable toilets and
picnic tables. From Napoʻopoʻo Rd, turn left on Puʻuhonua Rd, then right on Kahauloa
Rd; after 0.25 mile, turn right on Manini Beach Rd and park at the blue house.
Keʻei Bay
BEACH
Continuing south on Puuʻhonua Rd, you'll come across Keʻei Bay, an attractive cove
that's nonetheless rough for swimming. At the bay, there's a beach, a small canoe launch
and a few shacks, but no facilities - be respectful of residents here; you're essentially in
their front yard.
To get there, take the ragged dirt road past the turnoff for Manini Beach (if you reach
Keʻei Transfer Station, you've gone too far). If you don't have a high-clearance vehicle,
park along the dirt road and walk in.
South of here is the site of the Battle of Moku'ōhai, where, in 1782, Kamehameha the
Great defeated his rival Kiwala'o and asserted his rule over West Hawaiʻi.
Pu'uhonua Rd continues for several miles south through scrub brush to Pu'uhonua o
Honaunau National Historical Park.
Sights
Hikiʻau Heiau
TEMPLE
MAP
Veer right at the base of Napoʻopoʻo Rd to reach public rest rooms and Hiki'au Heiau, a
large platform temple. In front of the heiau, a stone beach makes a moody perch from
which to observe the stunning scenery, but the surf is too rough to swim. Climbing on the
ruins is kapu (forbidden).
Captain Cook Monument
HISTORIC SITE
MAP
A 27ft white obelisk marking the spot where Captain Cook was killed in 1779, is perched
just above Ka'awaloa Cove. In 1877, as an act of diplomacy, the Kingdom of Hawai'i
gifted the 16 sq ft of land that the monument stands on to Britain. Behind the monument
are the ruins of the ancient village of Ka'awaloa.
Pali Kapu o Keoua
HISTORIC SITE
MAP
