Kealakekua Bay
National Register Of Historic Places · Honaunau-Napoopoo, Hawaii
A bay on the Kona coast of Hawaii Island about twelve miles south of Kailua-Kona, settled over a thousand years ago and holding many heiau and other archaeological sites. It is where Captain James Cook, the first documented European to reach the Hawaiian islands, was killed in 1779, and it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 as the Kealakekua Bay Historical District. It is also a marine life conservation district and some of the clearest water in the state.
Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park, Honaunau-Napoopoo, Hawaii, 96726, United States
The shoreline park at Napoopoo is open during daylight hours and is FREE. ⚠ THE CAPTAIN COOK MONUMENT ON THE FAR SIDE OF THE BAY IS THE HARD PART: there is no road to it, and reaching it means a strenuous trail, a kayak, or a commercial boat. ⚠ KAYAKING IN THE BAY REQUIRES A PERMIT AND LANDING IS RESTRICTED - the rules have changed more than once, so check the state parks page rather than an older guidebook.