The Jaw Dropping Bay That Is Unlike Anything Else In Hawaii
By Megan Shute|Published January 12, 2017
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
On the Kona coast of Hawaii Island, a dozen miles south of Kailua-Kona, sits a picturesque bay with crystalline turquoise waters and epic snorkeling. While Kealakekua Bay is no doubt absolutely jaw-dropping, it also happens to be one of the state’s most historic bays.
On January 17, 1779, Captain James Cook, of Great Britain, sailed into Kealakekua Bay. The native Hawaiian welcomed the Captain and his crew with open arms, believing them to be returning gods. A massive feast was held in their honor, however, a month later, upon realizing that the Captain and his crew were mere mortals, Cook was killed in a conflict.
One can certainly understand why the Hawaiians mistook the Captain as a god - he not only arrived during the religious festival of Makahiki, but Kealakekua translates to “the god’s pathway” in Hawaiian.
Approximately 99 years later, a 27-foot white obelisk was erected to honor the famous seafarer who first set foot on Kauai a year earlier. It is on the northern tip of the bay that you will find the iconic Captain Cook Monument.
On the eastern side of the bay, you will find the sacred Hikiau Heiau, an ancient Hawaiian temple dedicated to Lono, the god of fertility, agriculture, rainfall, music, and peace.
While these 13 bays are also quite picturesque, they will never live up to Kealakekua’s beauty. If you are on Oahu, we think you’ll love Hanauma Bay, a world-class snorkeling destination that was recently named the best beach in America for 2016 by Dr. Beach.
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