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Visit Kawaihae, Hawaii

Discover the best activities and accommodations in Kawaihae, Hawaii

What to Do in Kawaihae

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With an average annual rainfall of less than 10 inches, this tiny port town at the north end of the Kohala resort area is perhaps Hawai‘i Island's driest spot. Protected by a breakwater, the small harbor is home to a handful of fishing and scuba outfitters as well as a sprinkling of shops and restaurants. There's not exactly a ton of tourist interest here, though history buffs, take note: Kawaihae was the seat of the Kingdom of Hawai‘i for a short time in the 1700s and was the home of King Kamehameha I for a brief period. If this piques your interest, check out the Pu‘ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site (.

Most Popular Hotels

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The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort

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Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa

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Hilton Waikoloa Village

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Hilton Grand Vacations Club Kohala Suites Waikoloa

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Hilton Grand Vacations Club Kings' Land Waikoloa

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Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel

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OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa

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Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection

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Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

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Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii

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Seabourn Encore19 Nights - Pacific Crossing and Treasures of JapanDeparting from Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii | 1 Sailing
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Coral Princess33 Nights - Hawaii & South Pacific CrossingDeparting from Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii | 1 Sailing
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Celebrity Solstice19 Nights - Tahitian TreasuresDeparting from Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii | 1 Sailing
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Celebrity Solstice9 Nights - HawaiiDeparting from Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii | 1 Sailing
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Coral Princess33 Nights - Hawaii and South Pacific CrossingDeparting from Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii | 1 Sailing
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Discovery Princess10 Nights - Pacific Crossing – Honolulu to British ColumbiaDeparting from Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii | 1 Sailing
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Anthem of the Seas17 Nights - TranspacificDeparting from Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii | 1 Sailing
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Celebrity Edge18 Nights - Tahitian TreasuresDeparting from Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii | 1 Sailing
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Celebrity Edge8 Nights - HawaiiDeparting from Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii | 1 Sailing
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Discovery Princess10 Nights - Pacific Crossing: Honolulu to British ColumbiaDeparting from Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii | 1 Sailing
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Travel Tips & Inspiration

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EDITOR PICKBest Time to Visit HawaiiAAA Travel Editor, Sherry Mims03/22/2024 : Find what to do in Hawaii and when to go in this travel guide.
EDITOR PICK13 Exciting Things to Do in Kauai When You VisitAAA Travel Editor, Sherry Mims03/12/2024 : Build your itinerary now with these 13 fun things to do on the Garden Isle and experience Hawaiian culture and cuisine.
EDITOR PICKFind the Perfect Place to Stay in the Hawaiian IslandsAAA Travel Editor, Sherry Mims08/15/2023 : Let AAA be your guide to Hawaii. You'll learn how to travel sustainably, where to stay and what AAA Diamonds are. A little prep can help you find the right fit!
DESTINATIONKawaihae With an average annual rainfall of less than 10 inches, this tiny port town at the north end of the Kohala resort area is perhaps Hawai‘i Island's driest spot. Protected by a breakwater, the small harbor is home to a handful of fishing and scuba outfitters as well as a sprinkling of shops and restaurants. There's not exactly a ton of tourist interest here, though history buffs, take note: Kawaihae was the seat of the Kingdom of Hawai‘i for a short time in the 1700s and was the home of King Kamehameha I for a brief period. If this piques your interest, check out the Pu‘ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site (.
NATIONAL PARKHaleakala National Park From Kahului, follow SRs 36, 37, 377 and 378 sequentially to the park headquarters on SR 378. The 27-mile drive through plantations and ranch land (watch for stray cattle) reaches an elevation of 7,000 feet at the headquarters.
NATIONAL PARKHawai i Volcanoes National Park Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is 29 miles southwest of Hilo and 96 miles east of Kailua via SR 11. Established in 1916 (back when Hawai‘i was a U.S. territory), the park is one of the planet's most geologically active areas and is home to two of the five volcanoes that comprise the island of Hawai‘i: Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. Most Hawai‘i Island vacationers spend a hurried day at the park (it's a long drive from the Kona coast resorts), but if you're on the island for a week or more, it's well worth staying a night or two at Volcano House (the park's only hotel) or somewhere in the nearby village of Volcano.
NATIONAL PARKKalaupapa National Historical Park Kalaupapa settlement and Kalaupapa National Historical Park are on Kalaupapa Peninsula (also called Makanalua Peninsula), which juts from the center of Moloka‘i's north coast. The peninsula is a low tongue of lava separated from the rest of the island—and the world—by a 1,660-foot bluff and an arc of heavy breakers.
NATIONAL PARKKaloko Honokohau National Historical Park Among the park's wildlife are sea turtles and Hawaiian monk seals. The Kaloko Fish Pond is home to Hawaiian coots and stilts; during the winter the Aimakapa Fish Pond hosts various migratory birds. The park is ideal for hiking, fishing and snorkeling. Camping is prohibited.
NATIONAL PARKPu uhonua O HoNaunau National Historical Park Off SR 160, 22 miles south of Kailua-Kona, Pu‘uhonua o Hōnaunau, meaning “Place of Refuge of Hōnaunau,” is a fun site to explore and as a bonus offers a good Hawaiian history lesson. Established in the 15th century, this is a place modern-day jailbirds wish was still around. The coastal compound was one of Hawai‘i Island's six sacred spots that provided sanctuary to commoners who broke kapu (religious law). If they could successfully flee to the safety of the pu‘uhonua, the offenders would be absolved by a priest and could then return to a “new” life.
EDITOR PICKWhere to Find AAA TourBook Guides and MapsMichelle Palmer04/01/2025 : The AAA TourBook guides provide travel information and are a planning tool for destinations across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.
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