Kamehameha Rock


According to legend, Kamehameha the Great carried this rock uphill from the beach to demonstrate his prodigious strength. Much later, when a road crew attempted to move it elsewhere, the rock stubbornly fell off the wagon – a sign that it wanted to stay put. Not wanting to upset Kamehameha's mana (spiritual essence), the workers left it alone. Blink and you'll miss it, on the inland roadside about 2 miles east of Kapaʻau, on a curve just past a small bridge.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Keokea Beach Park

1.58 MILES

While it has no beach to speak of, this county park, about 3.5 miles from Kapaʻau, has the best picnic spot around: an elevated pavilion with smashing…

2. Kalahikiola Church

1.77 MILES

In 1855 Protestant missionaries Elias and Ellen Bond built this church on their vast estate. It's not a must-see, but the towering banyan trees and…

3. Kohala Institute

1.88 MILES

The Institute is an nonprofit that runs educational and preservation programs on 2400 acres that include the ʻIole ahupuaʻa (traditional land division),…

4. Kamehameha the Great Statue

2.08 MILES

The statue on the front lawn of the North Kohala Civic Center has a famous twin in Honolulu, standing across from Iolani Palace. The Kapaʻau one was the…

5. Kamehameha Park Complex

2.26 MILES

This county park includes a huge pool (call for opening hours), tennis courts, gym with basketball courts and weight room, and playground. It's a great…

6. Hawi Farmers Market

4.21 MILES

All of the funky, organic, crunchy goodness of North Kohala is sold by all of its funky, organic, crunchy characters at this weekly farmers market, held…

7. Moʻokini Heiau

7.52 MILES

It's off the beaten path, but this heiau (temple), near ʻUpolu Point at Hawaiʻi's northernmost tip, is among the oldest (c AD 480) and most historically…

8. Site of Kamehameha's Birth

7.63 MILES

A series of low stone walls overlaid on windy grassy fields is all that is left of the birthplace of the most famous monarch in Hawaiian history. Located…