Lapakahi was established more than 700 years ago by early settlers. It used to be a fishing village right at beautiful Koai’e Cove, which was one of the rare spots where they were able to land their canoes. The rolling hills of the Kohala volcanoes sheltered them from the strong winds you can experience in the Northern part of the island (some of our pictures give that fact away, as well).
Take the two loop trails (0.5 and 0.3 miles) and experience what life might have been like 700 years ago. Admire burial sites, historic houses, wells, salt making stones, a heiau (temple) and even a Halau Wa’a, where the canoes were stored. Some of the strucutures have been partially rebuilt in modern times, but many things you will see date back to when this village was a bustling center for Hawai’ian families.
Lapakahi State Historical Park is located on Hwy 270 to Hawi, about 12 miles north of Kawaihae Harbor and is open daily except for State Holidays from 8:00am to 4:00pm. Please check on the Department of Land & Natural Resources website (link below) if there are any additional closures or restrictions. On their website you may download the park brochure (PDF) to save paper. From Keauhou it takes about 1 hour to get to the park by car. Please stay on the marked trails, do not move rocks or climb on rock walls and take your trash with you to protect this historically important place. While swimming is not officially prohibited, regularly occuring dangerous shorebreaks and strong currents may convice you to stay on land. Best time to visit is early in the morning or later in the afternoon.
