Kawaihae, Big Island

Kawaihae at a Glance

Kawaihae is a small historical village along Big Island’s northwestern Kohala Coast approximately 12 miles from Waimea and 35 miles north of Kailua-Kona. Kawaihae is the northernmost point of the designated research development area known as the “Gold Coast.” This area covers Queen Kaahumanu Highway following Anaehoomalu and Kiholo Bays.

During the 19th century, Kawaihae was just a small and busy whaling and trading port. Historically, Kawaihae Harbor was also the place where the ship that brought the first horses and cattle to Hawaii docked. During the late 1950s, the Kawaihae Harbor was improved into a deep draft harbor to accommodate more ships. Today, the Kawaihae Harbor is one of the largest harbors of Hawaii. From the harbor, one can view Puukohola, Mauna Kea, and Maui. Some scenes of the Hollywood film “Waterworld” was shot here.

South of the harbor lies King Kamehameha’s 83- acre Puukohola National Historic Site. The site features well-preserved ancient heiaus (Hawaiian religious structures) and the house of John Young, one of Kamehameha’s trusted advisors. Also called “hill of the whale,” the historical site also features Hale o Ka Puni, the remains of submerged shrine dedicated to the shark gods.

The coastal town of Kawaihe offers a lot of water-related activities including sports fishing, scuba diving, and outrigger canoe paddling. The town also boasts of shops, restaurants, accommodations, bars, and rental shops. A major attraction of the town is the Garden of Pua Mau Place, a botanical garden found on the western slope of the Kohala Mountain. The garden showcases unique sculptures, everblooming plants, Hibiscus Maze (planted with more than 200 varieties of hibiscus), large lava rocks on ravines, and the Magic Circle (a circular arrangement of stones patterned after standing stone circles of the Celtics in the British Isle).

Kawaihe’s zip code is 96743.

Kawaihae in Bullet Points

Kawaihae Location

Kawaihae Map (top)

Kawaihae Weather (top)

Now
75°F
Windchill:
75°F
Partly Cloudy
Location: Kamuela, HI, US
Wind: 17 mph NE
Humidity: 69%
Visibility: 9.99 mi
Pressure: 30.01 in rising
Sunrise: 6:40 am
Sunset: 5:44 pm Fri
Hi: 83°F
Low: 73°F
Partly Cloudy
Sat
Hi: 84°F
Low: 74°F
Partly Cloudy