Tidepools formed by a lava flow now fill with algae covered rocks, which is food for these Hawaiian green sea turtles. We saw eight or nine turtles along this stretch of the trail in Koloko-Honokohau National Historic Park.
The Ala Kahakai trail on the Big Island of Hawaii, follows the coastline for 175 miles. The Big Island is aptly names, as it is the largest island in all of the United States. This trail has been here since the ancient Hawaiians, used to connect all the different land divisions. Later, during the Hawaiian monarchy times, the king would use this trail to visit the different land divisions and collect taxes. It was established as a National Historic Trail in 2000, to preserve native Hawaiian cultural and natural resources.
We landed at Honokohau Harbor, just north of Kona town. From there we walked to the start of this section of the trail at the entrance to Koloko-Honokahau National Historic Park. There is a historic heiau, or temple, out on the point, and a rebuilt canoe house on the beach as you enter. We continued down the beach, past the remnants of ancient salt water fish ponds. Several species of migrating shore birds searched the ponds for food. We saw ruddy turnstone, sanderlings, and pacific golden plovers.
Then, all of a sudden, we saw one of the rocks move! It was actually a resting green sea turtle. Once we got our turtle vision going, we started seeing more and more in the tidepools. One was so close that I walked up and snapped this picture above. We also saw a golden mongoose slipping between the bushes, an introduced predator to the islands. Along this trail we also saw ancient petroglyphs, and made it to the national park visitor center, where I passed the test, and took the oath, to become a junior ranger.
It was quite hot, especially when we got away from the shoreline, but it was so worth it to be transported to an older time, before western contact, when this part of the island must have been bustling with all the fish ponds.
Once we got picked up by our small boat, back at the harbor, it turns out our adventure wasn't over yet. We came across a large pod of Hawaiian spinner dolphins, who really put on a show for us. We could see them underwater through the crystal clear ocean, and a few of them showed why they are called 'spinner' dolphins, by jumping out of the water spinning like a spiraling football. It was the grand finale to a great morning adventure.
It is quite amazing to follow the ancient Ala Kahakai Trail. This section is part of the Koloko-Honokohau National Historic Park. Lots of remnants of ancient civilization can be seen here.
Often dolphins, and sometimes even whales can be spotted from the shoreline of the Big Island.
We got lucky on our boat ride into the shore with a visit from friendly spinner dolphins.
Such a friendly welcome to the Big Island.
This part of the beach separates a huge inland fish pond from the ocean.
There was a huge aquaculture presence here along this part of the coast in ancient times. It is amazing how many fish traps and fish ponds dot the coast here north of Kona.
The visitor center is definitely worth the hike out to. It is small, but has clean bathrooms, cool water, and a chance to get your junior ranger badge. I picked up my Kupuna badge today!
Here is my hiking group, with our boat out in the background.
Take only photos, and leave only footprints.
A recreated ancient Hawaiian canoe house.
The sand here was a mix of black sand from the volcano and golden sand from the coral. The shoreline was fringed with this Coastal heliotrope tree that can take the salty environment.
We had to go check out the national park visitor center.
Eileen pointing out the sea turtle.
We found a boardwalk that led across the lava to a few petroglyphs.
Petroglyphs in the stone.
Footprints in the sand.
There is good signage along the trail. The biggest difficulty is having enough water. It was hot!
It was fun searching for turtles along the shore. We found lots of them in the tidepools, feeding on algae and just hanging out.
There was some pretty rad sea turtle artwork outside of the visitor center.
A ruddy turnstone checks the tidepools for food.
A sanderling on the left, and ruddy turnstone on the right; two different migratory shore birds.
Checking out a basking sea turtle with our ship in the background. Bonus points if you can make out the pacific golden plover in the photo.
Cattle egret, looking very serious.
The Ala Kahakai Trail is almost completely through lava fields and beaches as it winds along the coast.
Our group walking under the coastal heliotropes.
