The Kona district is located on the leeward coast of Hawaii's Big Island. Kailua, its major city, is an outpost of hotels, bungalows and resort ambiance amid a vast plain of ancient black lava flows. Aside from slender coconut palms and hardy trees, the Kona region of Hawaii lacks the lush foliage of the tropical rain forests that overrun the island's windward side. Nevertheless, private botanical gardens and government-run historic sites in the Kona area preserve Hawaii's native flora and fauna. These parks give visitors a taste of ancient Polynesian cultures on American soil.
Maintained by the Kona Outdoor Circle and named for the gardening organization's founding president, the Sadie Seymour Botanical Gardens exhibits plants native to different regions of the world, including the Hawaiian islands. The groups of plants are arranged in tiers within the 1.5-acre park. Visitors may pick up a brochure for a self-guided tour.
Sadie Seymour Botanical Gardens
76-6280 Kuakini Hwy.
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
(808) 329-7286
konaoutdoorcircle.org
This National Park Service site preserves an example of the ancient Hawaiians' engineering mastery: a loko kuapa, a rock-wall fishpond that allowed them to catch and raise fish from the sea for food. In addition to this historic artifact, visitors can view native and non-native flora along the park's trails, like the hala tree and the pohuehue (beach morning glory).
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park
73-4786 Kanalani St., #14
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
(808) 326-9057
nps.gov/kaho
About 20 miles south of Kailua, the National Park Service preserves a sanctuary sacred to ancient Hawaiians at the Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park. Visitors can glimpse the temples and ki'i (wooden figures) that were a part of their refuge. In addition, more than 180 species of plants can be seen along the trails and coastline within the park.
Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park
Honaunau, HI
(808) 328-2326
nps.gov/puho
