Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park
Designation: National Historical Park
Location: Hawaii
📘 Park Overview
Along the western coastline of the Island of Hawaiʻi lies the hot, rugged lava of Kaloko-Honokōhau. This seemingly barren and harsh landscape does not appear to be suitable for human existence, and yet, long before written history, the Hawaiian people built a thriving settlement upon this ʻaʻā lava.
🌤 Weather Information
The weather in the park is typically hot and sunny, with temperatures in the upper 80's.
🚗 Directions
Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park is located on the west coast of the island of Hawai'i, approximately 3 miles south of the Keahole International Airport (Kailua-Kona AIrport) and 3 miles north of the town of Kailua-Kona, on the ocean side of Highway 19. The visitor center, Hale Ho'okipa, is located half a mile north of the entrance to Honokōhau Harbor. The Kaloko road gate is located across the highway from the Kaloko New Industrial Park (across from the big yellow "Kona Trade Center" building).
Images
Kaloko Fishpond is the largest walled fishpond in the state (800 ft. long)
Credit: NPS Photo
Ai'opio fishtrap is on the south boundary of the park and is used frequently by visitors and for special events (annual children's cultural festival shown).
Credit: NPS Photo
Great skill was needed to build rock walls
Credit: NPS
Fourth graders at Park's Cultural Festival
Credit: NPS
Fourth Graders learn about native plants at the park
Credit: NPS Photo
The detail of a Hawaiian artist
Credit: NPS Photo
When you visit the Petroglyphs in the park you'll see this image in modern stone!
Credit: NPS photo
Offering during the time of Makahiki
Credit: NPS photo
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
No hours listed.
Entrance Fees
No entrance fees listed.
Entrance Passes
No entrance passes listed.
3-Day Weather Forecast
Thursday, Feb 26
Patchy rain nearby
High: 74.5°F | Low: 69.2°F
Humidity: 74%
Wind: 7.6 mph
Rain Chance: 98%
UV Index: 2.3
Sunrise: 06:45 AM
Sunset: 06:28 PM
Moon: Waxing Gibbous (67%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 66.4°F
Cloud Cover: 98%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Friday, Feb 27
Sunny
High: 74.8°F | Low: 69.9°F
Humidity: 73%
Wind: 8.1 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 2.3
Sunrise: 06:45 AM
Sunset: 06:28 PM
Moon: Waxing Gibbous (77%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 66.3°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Saturday, Feb 28
Sunny
High: 75.5°F | Low: 66.8°F
Humidity: 71%
Wind: 8.3 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 2.5
Sunrise: 06:44 AM
Sunset: 06:29 PM
Moon: Waxing Gibbous (86%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 66°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Weather Alerts (2)
High Surf Advisory issued February 25 at 3:54PM HST until February 26 at 6:00AM HST by NWS Honolulu HI
Effective: Feb 25, 2026 8:54pm
Expires: Feb 26, 2026 10:00am
...HIGH SURF ADVISORY FOR EAST FACING SHORES OF KAUAI OAHU
MOLOKAI MAUI AND BIG ISLAND...
.A declining north-northeast (010-030 degrees) will continue to
produce advisory level surf along exposed east facing coastlines
of most islands through tonight.
* WHAT...Surf of 8 to 12 feet this evening, dropping to 7 to 10
feet overnight.
* WHERE...East-facing shores of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui, and
Big Island.
* WHEN...Until 6 AM HST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Moderate. Strong breaking waves and strong currents
will make swimming dangerous.
High Surf Advisory issued February 26 at 3:44AM HST until February 26 at 6:00PM HST by NWS Honolulu HI
Effective: Feb 26, 2026 8:44am
Expires: Feb 26, 2026 9:45pm
...HIGH SURF ADVISORY FOR EAST FACING SHORES OF KAUAI OAHU
MOLOKAI MAUI AND BIG ISLAND...
.Surf along exposed east-facing shores will remain elevated today
due to a lingering north-northeast swell. This, combined with
fresh onshore trade winds, will continue to generate rough
conditions along east-facing shores, prompting an extension of the
advisory through today. A downward trend is expected Friday
through the weekend as the swell eases and the trades diminish.
* WHAT...Surf of 7 to 10 ft.
* WHERE...East facing shores of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui, and
Big Island.
* WHEN...Until 6 PM HST this evening.
* IMPACTS...Moderate. Strong breaking waves and strong currents
will make swimming dangerous.
Park Alerts
Park Events
Anchialine Pools and the Shrimp that Live in Them
Discover the rare anchialine ecosystems of Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park!
Join us for a 15-20 minute interpretive talk on shrimp and anchialine pools at the Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park Visitor Center.
These pools are windows into a hidden world where fresh and saltwater mix underground. In this talk, you'll get to know the unique plants and animals that thrive in these pools, including the surprisingly charismatic native ‘ōpae‘ula (red shrimp). You'll also learn how we can protect these fragile ecosystems and the life they support.
Location: Talks are held at the Kaloko-Honokōhau Visitor Center, accessible from the park's main parking lot off of Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway.
Date: Sep 3, 2025 12:00am to Sep 3, 2027 12:00am
Paid Event
Mālama ‘Aimakapā Community Workday
Join us for a Community Workday at ʻAimakapā Fishpond!
Come along for a short 0.5-mile hike and invasive species removal at ʻAimakapā Fishpond to help restore the largest wetland on the Kona Coast!
Thursday, March 19, 8am–12pm
Saturday, March 21, 8am–12pm
RSVP by March 16: audrey_chambers@nps.gov
All are welcome!
An email with full details and instructions will be sent to all participants on March 18.
Please remember to bring the following items:
- Hat
- Water bottle
- Reef-safe suncreen
- Hiking boots
- Tabis or other water shoes (can be provided if you don't have your own)
- Gloves (can be provided if you don't have your own)
Date: Mar 19, 2026 12:00am to Mar 19, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Mālama ‘Aimakapā Community Workday
Join us for a Community Workday at ʻAimakapā Fishpond!
Come along for a short 0.5-mile hike and invasive species removal at ʻAimakapā Fishpond to help restore the largest wetland on the Kona Coast!
Thursday, March 19, 8am–12pm
Saturday, March 21, 8am–12pm
RSVP by March 16: audrey_chambers@nps.gov
All are welcome!
An email with full details and instructions will be sent to all participants on March 18.
Please remember to bring the following items:
- Hat
- Water bottle
- Reef-safe suncreen
- Hiking boots
- Tabis or other water shoes (can be provided if you don't have your own)
- Gloves (can be provided if you don't have your own)
Date: Mar 21, 2026 12:00am to Mar 21, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
Visitor Center, Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway, south of 97 mile marker
74-4968 Queen Ka'ahumanu Hwy
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
🏤 Mailing Address:
73-4786 Kanalani St. #14
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
📞 Voice Phone: 8083296881
📞 Fax Phone: 8083292597
✉️ Email: kaho_info@nps.gov