Learning Adventures

History and Culture in Waimea

Parker Ranch Museum and Visitor Center: This is a good place to start learning about Parker Ranch, one of the largest ranches in the United States. Delve into the saga of the Parker family, and plan a visit to the two historic homes, one which was the home of ranch founder John Parker, and the other which houses the Puuopelu art gallery, filled with objects d’art and antiques. 808-885-5669 or 1-800-262-7290. www.parkerranch.com

History and Culture in Puna

Puu Loa Petroglyphs: One of the richest petroglyph fields in Hawaii, with more than 23,000 images carved into the lava rock—most before Westerners arrived in Hawaii. Towards the coastal end of Chain of Craters Rd. within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (see more info on the park in the Kau section below), the .7-mile hike ends in a boardwalk from which petroglyphs are easily visible. www.nps.gov/archive/havo/history/archeology/puuloa.htm

History and Culture in Kohala

Anaehoomalu Petroglyph Field: On the grounds of the Waikoloa Resort, this is one of the best places in the state to view well-preserved ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs (drawings inscribed into the lava rock). You’ll see human forms, canoes, circles signifying piko (the navel) and various abstract shapes. A short trail makes access easy.

Eva Parker Woods Cottage: This replica of a historic cottage on the beautiful grounds of the Mauna Lani Resort has small but interesting exhibits of ancient Hawaiian fishing gear, kapa cloth, feather leis and more. 800-367.2323 or 808-885-6622. www.maunalani.com/a_s_evawoods.htm

King Kamehameha Statue: This imposing statue in Kapaau honors Hawaii’s most admired ruler, famous for unifying all the Hawaiian Islands under his rule. And the statue itself has an interesting history. Forged in Florence, Italy in 1880, its trip to Hawaii was interrupted when the ship that was ferrying it to Honolulu sank off the Falkland Islands, where it later turned up in a junkyard. By then a replacement statue had been erected in Honolulu, so the original was brought to Kapaau, near Kamehameha’s birthplace.

Lapakahi State Historical Park: Here, on a one-mile self-guided tour, you can walk in the footsteps of the Hawaiians who lived in this ancient fishing village. You’ll see the partially restored remains of this ancient coastal settlement, and have the chance to play traditional Hawaiian games. The snorkeling here can be excellent when the sea is calm. www.hawaiimuseums.org/mc/ishawaii_lapakahi.htm

Mookini Heiau: The stone wall remnants of this ancient temple define a place that Hawaiians and others consider to have great mana (spiritual power). This was a luakini —a temple of human sacrifice, built around 480 A.D. A short walk away is the birthplace of Kamehameha the Great, who united the Hawaiian Islands. Note: The October 15, 2006 earthquake caused some damage to the heiau and the Kamehameha Birthplace, but both may still be visited from the outside.

Puukohola National Historic Site: When Kamehameha the Great was a young chief, his kahuna (priest) foretold that if Kamehameha constructed a heiau (temple) on the site, he would unite and rule all the islands as one kingdom. The temple was built between 1790-91 and consecrated with the sacrifice of a neighboring chief—and the prediction came true. This is the largest heiau in Hawaii. In March a new visitors center will open featuring videos, exhibits and a small museum. (808) 882-7218. www.nps.gov/puhe.

History and Culture in Kau

Ka Lae canoe rings: At the end of the 12-mile road to South Point, Ka Lae is a wild cliff-lined seashore—the southernmost point in the United States, and the conjectured first landfall of the first Polynesian voyagers in Hawaii. And carved through the lava here and there you can find rock loops that tied off fishing canoes a few hundred years ago.

History and Culture in Kona

Hulihee Palace: This was the vacation home of Hawaii’s Victorian-age alii (royalty). Here they hosted balls and state dinners, and formed alliances with foreign governments. Today, in the middle of bustling Kailua-Kona town, it is a museum with gorgeous displays of period furniture and artifacts. (808) 329-1877. www.daughtersofhawaii.com/huliheepalace

 

Kealakekua Bay: This is where Captain James Cook, the first Westerner to discover the Hawaiian Islands first set foot on Hawaii soil. He happened to arrive during the makahiki celebration and feasting in honor of the god Lono, symbolized by crossed poles draped with white kapa cloth. Cook, sailing in alien craft, white sails unfurled, was seen as Lono incarnate. After a time of revelry and re-provisioning, he left to continue his voyage of exploration, but bad weather and bad luck forced him back some months later. His return led to his death in a skirmish with Hawaiians, but what Cook’s ships carried—cannon, nails and other technology, as well as disease—changed Hawaii forever. A monument on the northern point of the bay commemorates Captain Cook.

Koloko-Honokohau National Historical Park: This 1160-acre park, the site of an ancient Hawaiian settlement, is full of cultural and historical significance. You’ll see fishponds, kahua (house site platforms), kii pohaku (petroglyphs), a holua (stone slide) and heiau (temples). (808) 329-6881. www.nps.gov/kaho

Kona Historical Society’s Kona Coffee Living History Farm: This is the site of a 1900 homestead in the heart of Kona’s famous coffee country. Every member of the Japanese family that once lived here, from kids to grandparents, worked hard to harvest and process the annual coffee crop. An intriguing guided tour gives you a vivid look at what life was like. And make sure to check out the Kona Historical Society’s new museum, opening in February 2007. The H.N. Greenwell Store Museum will share the story of the multi-ethnic society of this area, which once thrived because of farming and ranching during the 1800s. (808) 323-2006. www.konahistorical.org

Mokuaikaua Church: Built by early missionaries in 1837, using coral and lava rock, this is the oldest Christian church in Hawaii. Today, in the middle of Kailua-Kona town, it is still an active church, and is open daily. Artifacts and memorabilia may be viewed in the back of the church. (808)329-0655. www.mokuaikaua.org

 

Puu Honua O Honaunau: This small but amazingly vivid national historical park contains canoe huts, fishponds, heiau (temples), cooking hale (houses) and a full program of cultural events. This was a place sanctified by kahuna (priests) as a “Place of Refuge.” Here, enemy warriors, criminals or other outcasts would be protected—if they could make their way to its entry. 808-328-2288. 808-328-2288. www.nps.gov/puho

History and Culture in Hamakua

Laupahoehoe Train Museum: Documents and honors the old Hawaii Consolidated Railway that hauled goods and passengers up and down the Hamakua Coast during the 19th century. Highway 19 near mile marker 25, Laupahoehoe. (808) 962-6300 www.thetrainmuseum.com

Waipio Valley: It’s clear why this dramatic valley was so important to the ancient Hawaiians. Its stunning landscape of impossibly steep walls, numerous waterfalls, black sand beach, and mana (spiritual power) tell some of the story. Its fertile soil tells another: Waipio’s kalo (taro), bananas, coconuts and pigs use to sustain the island during periods of drought and famine.

King Kamehameha the Great was hidden in this Garden of Eden during infancy to protect him from the Big Island chief who wanted to prevent his rule. You can see the valley from above at the the lookout, or, if you have a 4WD vehicle and good driving skills on a narrow, winding very steep road, you can drive down yourself and explore on foot. Better yet, consider a guided tour by van, horseback or even horse-drawn carriage.

History and Culture in Hilo

East Hawaii Cultural Center: Changing exhibits in a friendly setting by many of Hawaii Island’s most imaginative artists. (808) 961-5711. www.ehcc.org.

Lyman Mission House and Museum: This nationally accredited and Smithsonian-affiliated museum on a quiet Hilo side street is a gem, with precious native artifacts and treasures, as well as changing exhibits from around the globe. You can also walk through a faux lava tube to learn about Hawaii’s volcanoes. Other exhibits describe extinct and rare Hawaiian birds. There are also superb collections of Hawaiian tropical marine shells. Named for the Rev. and Mrs. David Belden Lyman, Christian missionaries who influenced Hilo during the mid 1800s. Guided tour of their restored house. 276 Haili St., Hilo. (808) 935-5021 www.lymanmuseum.org.

Pacific Tsunami Museum: Exhibits depicting how radically the destructive 1946 and 1960 tsunamis changed the social and economic face of the community in and around Hilo. Other informative exhibits explain what a tsunami is. Lots of historical photos, exhibits, maps and survivor stories, as well as a theater. Pick up their brochure of the East Hawaii Driving and Walking Tour of Historical Tsunami Sites. 130 Kamehameha Ave., Hilo. (808) 935-0926 www.tsunami.org

University of Hawaii Hilo Hawaiian EDventure Program: A “living classroom” concept takes students into the forest and the ocean to teach a curriculum of integrated academic, recreational and cultural activities. Flexible curricula adjusted for “life learners” of all ages. (808) 974-7555. http://conference.uhh.hawaii.edu.