Keauhou Bay is a historic area in the

Kona District Kona is a ''moku'' or district on the Big Island of Hawaii in the State of Hawaii, known for its Kona coffee and the location of the Ironman World Championship Triathlon. In the current system of administration of Hawaii County, the ''moku'' ...

of the Big Island of Hawaii. The name comes from ''ke au hou'' which means "the new era" in the Hawaiian Language.

Kamehameha III's Birthplace

A small enclosure is maintained by the Daughters of Hawaii to mark the site of the birth of King Kamehameha III in 1814, the second son of

Kamehameha I Kamehameha I (; Kalani Paiea Wohi o Kaleikini Kealiikui Kamehameha o Iolani i Kaiwikapu kaui Ka Liholiho Kūnuiākea; – May 8 or 14, 1819), also known as Kamehameha the Great, was the conqueror and first ruler of the Kingdom of Hawaii. Th ...

and Keopuolani. The early part of his reign he was under a regency by

Kaʻahumanu Kaahumanu (March 17, 1768 – June 5, 1832) (''"the feathered mantle"'') was queen consort and acted as regent of the Kingdom of Hawaii as Kuhina Nui. She was the favorite wife of King Kamehameha I and also the most politically powerfu ...

. He was the longest reigning monarch in the Kingdom of Hawaii, until his death December 15, 1854. The site includes the Kauikeaouli stone (his birth name), added to the Hawaii register of historic places as site 10-37-4383 on January 13, 1978. It was added to the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic ...

on July 24, 1978 as site 78001018. It is said Kauikeaouli was stillborn, but put on the stone by a visiting

Kahuna ''Kahuna'' is a Hawaiian language, Hawaiian word that refers to an expert in any field. Historically, it has been used to refer to doctors, surgeons and dentists, as well as priests, ministers, and sorcerers. Background A ''kahuna'' may be ver ...

where he was revived with a sacred chant. The Daughters of Hawaii held a ceremony marking the hundredth anniversary by placing a plaque with

Queen Liliuokalani Queen or QUEEN may refer to: Monarchy * Queen regnant, a female monarch of a Kingdom ** List of queens regnant * Queen consort, the wife of a reigning king * Queen dowager, the widow of a king * Queen mother, a queen dowager who is the mothe ...

in attendance. They acquired the small parcel including the foundation of the house in 1925.

Other historic sites

To the north of this area is the Kahaluu Bay Historic District, and uphill (''mauka'') is the Keauhou Holua Slide built under Kamehameha I. The Holua originally extended into Heeia Cove just north of the main bay. To the south is the birth site of the Battle at Kuamoo, fought in 1819.

Recreation

The Keauhou area includes the outrigger & Spa at Keauhou Bay, the Keauhou Shopping Center, two golf courses, timeshare, residential and resort condominiums and single-family residences. The largest convention center in Kona is located at the Sheraton, just South of the bay. The of the resort are owned by a subsidiary of Kamehameha Schools which sponsors cultural events at the facilities. There is a small boat ramp for public use and commercial tour companies such as Dolphin Discoveries to

Kealakekua Bay Kealakekua Bay is located on the Kona coast of the island of Hawaii about south of Kailua-Kona. Settled over a thousand years ago, the surrounding area contains many archeological and historical sites such as religious temples (heiaus) and al ...

, and the Keauhou Canoe Club for canoe races. Above the bay the Kona Country Club golf course, built in 1966, was designed by William Bell.Kona Country Club
official web site Another route south to the town of Kealakekua is the Alii bypass road, a bizarre monument to a conflict between property developers and the County.

References

Gallery

{{National Register of Historic Places Bays of Hawaii (island) Monuments and memorials on the National Register of Historic Places in Hawaii Beaches of Hawaii (island)