While South Kohala attracts most tourists, just 11 miles upslope is a land developers forgot. NORTH KOHALA is lush and green, sparsely populated and unpretentious; it is South Kohala’s country cousin—a breath of fresh mountain air in a landscape barely touched by contemporary infl uences.
The region’s neighboring hamlets of KAPA‘AU and HAWI, comprising the most-densely populated area in the district, retain a country feel, and merchants take an inventive approach.
And nowhere is KING KAMEHAMEHA THE GREAT , who united the islands in 1810, more revered than in North Kohala. His birthplace, marked by a simple plaque, is west of Hawi on a dirt road near the ruins of MO‘OKINI HEIAU. To get there, take the
:
A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY PHO TO: HA W AII T OURISM A UTHORIT Y (HT A) / BL AKE BRONS TAD | L OCA TION: K AP A‘ AU DISCOVER KING KAMEHAMEHA COUNTRY
EXPLORE AN AHUPUA’A
RELIVE MISSION HISTORY AT
LYMAN MISSION
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left at the airfi eld.
For another view of Hawai‘i’s great ruler, check out the 9-FOOT STATUE OF KAMEHAMEHA . This 100-PLUS-YEAR-OLD LANDMARK commands a hill in Kapa‘au, and is easily visible from Highway 270.
Hawai‘i honors the legacy of King Kamehameha the Great every June 11, KING KAMEHAMEHA DAY . North Kohala celebrates the state holiday with a parade,
– draping ceremony and community
(festival).
