Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park
is an 1160 acre park with great ecological, cultural and historical
significance, and is the site of an ancient Hawaiian settlement. True,
park is still fairly undeveloped, so there aren’t many facilities
besides a few toilets, but for a tiny historical park within municipal
city limits, Kaloko-Honokohau offers some exceptional natural and scenic
attractions.
The park features wetlands that are not only rare breeding habitats
for endangered stilts and coots, but also stopover spots for an unpredictable
variety of wintering birds. The park’s sample of scenic Kona Coast
has an excellent marine reef with effortless access to beaches, tidepools
and unusual anchailine pools. Diligent wildlife observers can try to
get photographs of the only three native mammals in the park: Humpback
Whales, the endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal and the Hawaiian Hoary Bat.
Visitors can also enjoy activities such as picnicking, fishing, snorkeling,
swimming, bird-watching, and surfing. Hikers and backpackers can hit
the historic Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, which also crosses
the park.
