North Kohala Lele ‘o Kohala me he lupe lā. (Kohala soars as a kite.) An expression of adoration for Kohala, a district that has often been a leader in doing good works. ‘Ōlelo No‘eau #1988 Revered as the birthplace of King Kamehameha I, North Kohala is home to a collection of quaint shops and galleries, limitless natural beauty and remnants of old fishing villages. Lapakahi State Historical Park A self-guided tour through partially restored remains of this ancient coastal settlement will give you a glimpse of early life. As you walk through the area, you’ll encounter plants that thrive near the shore, providing a food source, building materials, medicines and utensils. Try your skills at one of a few games like ‘ulu maika (stone disc-rolling) and kōnane (a game of strategy). Visit house sites, hālau wa‘a (canoe longhouses) and more. Hāwī If you’re visiting in October, this is where you can find the bicycle turnaround for the IRONMAN® World Championship. Year- round, find charming boutiques, restaurants, coffee shops and art galleries featuring works from local artists. Kamehameha Statue In the small town of Kapa‘au stands the original King Kamehameha I statue, forged in Florence, Italy, in 1880 and erected near his birthplace. Ancient prophecy foretold his birth and destiny as a great warrior, diplomat and leader. After the ship that was ferrying the statue sank off the Falkland Islands, a replacement statue was commissioned and erected in Downtown Honolulu. The original statue was found in 1912, restored and installed in Kapa‘au. On the way to Pololū Valley, look for this majestic tribute to the Kingdom of Hawai‘i’s first monarch, who united the Hawaiian Islands under one royal kingdom in 1810. Pololū Valley Lookout Pololū Valley, an awe-inspiring landscape carved into the Kohala volcano and traversed by the Pololū stream, marks the end of Highway 270. Before European colonization, the valley was renowned for its thriving kalo (taro) farming, including a cultivar named after it. In the 1800s, rice farming also flourished in this wahi pana (storied, special and sacred place). Today, the valley remains deeply connected to the Kohala community, with many descendants of the original inhabitants now practicing their kuleana (responsibility) as stewards. They share the valley’s rich history, culture and profound sense of place with visitors, instilling a deep appreciation for this remarkable landscape. In 2021, KUPU Hawai‘i, Nā Ala Hele Trails and the area’s lineal descendants created the Pololū Valley Stewardship program to mālama ku‘u home — to manage, educate and share it with visitors and residents. When visiting Pololū Valley, please respect this special place. KING KAMEHAMEHA STATUE IN KAPA‘AU BLAKE BRONSTAD POLOLŪ VALLEY LOOKOUT, NORTH KOHALA ELIZABETH BRENTANO T he Island of Hawai‘i EXPLORE 22 Experience The Island of Hawai‘i
