Kamakahonu

Kamakahonu is a reconstructed royal compound located along Kailua Bay at its northern end and spans several acres of land. The site features a temple and traditional Hawaiian buildings that reflect how people lived and governed during the kingdom's unified period.

King Kamehameha I chose this location as his final residence in 1813 and ruled his unified kingdom from here until his death in 1819. The site thus became the center of Hawaiian power during this critical period of island history.

The site holds the Ahuena Heiau, where King Kamehameha I performed religious rituals and made decisions that affected the entire Hawaiian kingdom. Today, visitors can see how the temple served as both a spiritual center and a place of political power.

The site is accessible through King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel, which displays traditional artifacts in its lobby museum. Visiting early in the day helps you avoid harsh sunlight and see the reconstructed structures more clearly.

The first Christian missionaries to reach Hawaii landed at this location in 1820, bringing a new religion that fundamentally changed island society. This arrival marked a turning point when traditional Hawaiian practices and beliefs had to be reconsidered.