What to see and do at Kealakekua Bay, Kona, Big Island, Hawaii

Kealakekua Bay, Kona, Big Island, Hawaii includes the place where Captain Cook was killed

Kealakekua Bay is located on the west coast of the island of Hawaii about 12 miles south of Kailua-Kona.  The surrounding area contains many  historical sites. It also includes the place where Captain Cook, the first documented European to reach the Hawaiian islands was killed. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places listings on the island of Hawaii in 1973. The bay is a popular place for kayaking, scuba diving, and snorkeling.  Tourists are advised not to snorkel within 3 days of arriving in Hawaii by air.

We visited Kealakekua Bay on 12/20/2023.  While here, we explored the Hikiau Heiau temple and viewed the bay and the Captain Cook memorial.

Hikiau Heiau is a luakini temple of Ancient Hawaii located at the south end of the bay. The platform being about 16 feet high, 250 feet  long, and 100 feet wide.

The sheer cliff face  at the north end of the bay is called Ka-pali-kapu-o-Keoua and it  houses the burial sites of Hawaiian royalty and their accompanied companions and funerary items. 

Captain James Cook and his crews on the Resolution and Discovery sighted Kealakekua Bay on the morning of January 17, 1779. After suffering damage to the mast during a storm, the ships returned on February 12th. Cook attempted to barter for wood to repair the mast and was stabbed through the chest by a native chief with an iron dagger which had been previously traded to him. Today, there is a memorial next to the harbor at the site where he was killed.

Viator offers numerous tours in the Kona region.  Click here for details.

Memorial next to the harbor at the site where Captain Cook was killed.

View from the beach of the Hikiau Heiau iluakini temple 

View towards the bay of the Hikiau Heiau luakini temple 

Information about the the Hikiau Heiau luakini temple site

Information on Kamechamcha the Great

View of the Kealakekua Bay and it's black beach