Historical Must See Sites on your Hawaiian Cruise

Best Hawaiian Cruise Historical Sites to see in Kona

A Hawaiian Cruise is not complete without a trip to a few historical sites. Not only is Hawaii rich with the beauty of nature, culture, and people; the islands history is vibrant and Kona has some of the most intriguing history you can find!

Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park: One of my favorite ports for historical exploration has to be in Kona where you will find the Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park. Not only is this National Park one of America’s most remarkable splendors of nature, it holds amazing historical finds.

The Puuhonua a Honaunau features 180 acres of land that once acted as royal grounds and a refuge for lawbreakers. The ancient Hawaiian people believed that if someone broke Kapu, sacred law, that is was punishable by death. The only way to escape this outcome was to make it to Puuhonua before you were caught. Once in Puuhonua the law breaker would undergo a ritual or ceremony that would erase his wrong doings and allow all to be forgiven so that he/she could once again return to society. Now if that doesn’t intrigue you a little what will!

That is not all that Puuhonua has to offer as far as history is concerned. There are heiau, Hawaiian temples, Hawaiian fishponds, and the Great Wall.

Historic Kailua Village: Close to the pier you will find Kailua Village. This quaint historical town was once a popular getaway spot for Hawaiian royalty. Here you will find the Hulihee Palace, originally built with lava rock and later plastered over for appeal; Hawaii’s first Christian Church built in the early 1800’s, Mokuaikaua Church; and, Ahuena Heiau, a reconstructed temple that was originally built by King Kamehameha I, which is registered as a National Historical Landmark.

Keauhou:  Keauhou is the birth site for King Kamehameha III, the longest reigning ruler in Hawaii. The Daughters of Hawaii, an organization founded to protect the memory of the Hawaiian people, have maintained the Kauikeaouli stone in his memory for years and had it added to the Hawaii register of historical places. It is said that King Kamehameha was stillborn but revived when put on this stone. In Keauhou you will also find historical Hawaiian temples, and the Kuamoo Battle and Lekeleke Burial grounds.

Kealakekua Bay: Last but not least if you are lucky enough to have a port stop in Kona you should visit the Kealakekua Bay. The history behind this area is vast. This area was settled in over a thousand years ago by Native Hawaiians. Kealakekua Bay also marks the spot where the first documented European explorers landed. Captain James Cook, captain of the Royal Navy, is said to have been the first European to step foot onto the island. He later was killed here as well in a fight with the Native Hawaiian’s. Once considered one of the most knowledgeable geographical men of his time, a monument has been placed in the historical park in his honor.  Kealakekua Bay is also a Marine Life Conservation District, so if you are into snorkeling Kealakekua is the place!

One of the best ways to see all of the history the Hawaiian Islands have to offer is on a Hawaiian Cruise. Many of these historical sites are located in major port cities where the cruise ships will dock. What better way to discover Hawaii than through its history!

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