Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail

The National Park Service is inviting the community to participate in a planning effort for the Kauleolī Unit of Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail. 

Kauleolī is a 95-acre shoreline landscape on the South Kona coast, just south of Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park. The National Park Service acquired the property in 2016 and 2021 to protect important cultural sites and preserve a historic section of the Ala Kahakai trail. 

The planning process will establish a long-term vision for caring for Kauleolī, including protection of cultural resources, community uses, and appropriate visitor experiences. 

“Kauleolī is a place with deep history and meaning for many families in South Kona,” said Superintendent Aric Arakaki. “We hope this planning process will bring people together to share their knowledge, perspectives, and ideas for how this special place should be cared for into the future.” 

Community members are invited to attend a public meeting on April 18, 2026, from 2–5 p.m., at the Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden in Captain Cook. The National Park Service will share preliminary concepts, answer questions, and gather community input. 

A 45-day public comment period will run from April 1 through May 15, 2026. 

Comments may be submitted online at the project website or by mail. 

The National Park Service is inviting the community to participate in a virtual public meeting, as part of a planning effort for the Kauleolī Unit of Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail. 

About the Plan

The National Park Service (NPS) is in the earliest phase of developing a long-term management plan for Kauleolī, a 95-acre shoreline parcel in South Kona, Hawaiʻi Island, acquired by Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail. The plan will guide natural, cultural, and biocultural resource protection and establish appropriate uses for the unit, with an emphasis on recognizing and supporting the important connections of community to Kauleolī.

Why Attend

At this early stage, the NPS is seeking to learn from the community, including descendant ʻohana, kama'āina, and all those connected to Kauleolī, about her past, what she means today, and how she should be cared for in the future. Community knowledge, stories, and ideas will directly shape the plan before any alternatives are developed. Preliminary ideas have been offered to spark conversation, but the NPS is especially hoping to hear new ideas from the community about how to mālama Kauleolī together. The public comment period is open through May 15, 2026.

Meeting Format

The meeting will take place on Microsoft Teams. The meeting will open with a brief presentation on the plan and the planning process, followed by an overview of how to submit comments on the project website (parkplanning.nps.gov/kauleoli), and a Q&A session. We hope you can join us!

Visit the project website (https://parkplanning.nps.gov/MeetingNotices.cfm?projectID=124330) for a link to join the Microsoft Teams meeting.