Ho’ona Historic Preserve

Ho’ona Historic Preserve is hidden away behind a large industrial park and seldom visited. It’s an archaeological site that you wouldn’t stumble across unless you happen to be curiously exploring the shoreline from Wawaloli Beach Park and Keahole Point.

The sites at Ho’ona are from the 1800s according to archaeologist reports and include home sites, animal pens, middens (trash piles) and more.

Ho’ona Preserve has its own parking lot, but it’s not signed well so see our map and the directions below. From the parking lot you’ll walk north along the Natural Energy Laboratory (NELHA) fences. Most of the historical structures are in the area where there’s light colored sand between the lab and the lava on the shore. Look for walls and rock piles indicating human-built structures and don’t disturb anything period. You’ll come across a grave site which should not be entered.

Where the ocean hits the lava you’ll find interesting tide pools. If you want to go on an extended hike you can follow the shore northward where you’ll be beside the Nutrex Hawaiian Spirulina plant and eventually next to the Kona International Airport. Heed any signs you encounter.

To get to Ho’ona Historic Preserve turn into HOST Park from Highway 19 which is signed Hawaii Ocean Science Technology Park & Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority. From the south (Kailua-Kona) or north you can turn toward the ocean from the highway onto Kahilihili Street. When you get to Makako Bay Drive turn right and drive to the end of the road. Before entering the gates of Natural Energy Lab turn left onto a gravel road (there is a Shoreline Public Access sign there). Drive clockwise around the lab to the parking lot at the end of this crude road where you’ll finally find a sign indicating you are there. The preserve is open daily from 8am to 6pm.

Address

Haukeuke Way & Makako Bay Dr
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

Phone

808-327-9585

Park Name

NELHA HOST Park

Other Names

Hoona Bay

Owner

State

Pet Details

No dogs allowed in the preserve

Fees

Free parking

Activities

Sightseeing, Hiking

Amenities

Historical Hawaiian Structures, Anchialine Ponds, Tide Pools