Kahaluu and Keauhou Coastline – September 14, 2011

The Kona coastline, on Hawaii Island, is renowned for it’s sports fishing, epic sunsets and lava fields as far as the eye can see. Contrary to the Hilo side of Hawaii, the Kona side is extremely dry and vegetation is sparse.

Surface water, in the form of springs and streams are virtually absent, and therefore deep wells have to be constructed so that people are able to obtain clean water for drinking, etc. I was fortunate enough to photograph this well shaft, which goes down 1400 feet!!!

Though ancient Hawaiians did not have the ability to construct such elaborate devices to obtain water, they did know where freshwater was available. In several areas, freshwater springs appear on the coastline and sometimes even emerge under the ocean. Most of the coastal springs were slightly brackish and could not be used as drinking water. Therefore ancient Hawaiians in this area found out how to obtain freshwater from the ocean, where they would dive with gourds to mapped underwater springs where they could collect their drinking water.

Just south of Kailua Kona, Kahaluu and Keauhou Ahupuaa (Divisions of Land), are such areas where this type of lifestyle was established. The map above; drawn by Henry Kekahuna (1952); shows several heiau (sacred shrines), residencies, springs and bathing pools in the Kahaluu.

Waiakuaaala Pond is one site where freshwater seeps out near the coastline. Along with many other historical sites here, it has been stored to similar conditions when in use by ancient Hawaiians.

In addition to it’s heavy cultural significance and unusual hydrological characteristics, Kahaluu and Keauhou are excellent places to explore marine life.

Whether it be snorkeling, scuba, or simply reef walking along the tidepools, there are all types of marine life for both locals and tourists to see. Please note that much of the coastline here are restricted fishing areas and may only be open to sustenance fishing.

Haukeuke ulaula (Pencil slate urchin) are abundant on the reef and in tidepools… Unlike this uncommon species of hapawai (amphidromous, brackish water mollusk), which has naturally found a home in a coastal spring… which are usually only found near the mouths of freshwater streams (right).

After the sun sets…

and moon rises, another set of reef creatures come out to feed.

Urchins normally hiding in holes and under rocks are scurrying about, scraping algae of the rocks.

Pipihi (nerite mollusk) and Opihi (Limpet mollusk) avoid dessication by being most active at night. The intense sunlight and heat here would easily dry them out during the day.

The Opihi in Kahaluu and Keauhou are huge, and were very tempting to take… However, they are not abundant, so please do not take them if you go here either. These larger individuals have an exponentially greater reproductive potential compared to smaller individuals, which can be still reproductively mature. Thus, likely help sustain the opihi population in this area… NOTE: this also is true for almost all other marine fish and invertebrates. PLEASE keep this in mind the next time you go fishing and take a trophy home for the dinner table…

This slipper lobster was also scavenging along the bottom, whereas in the the day, it would likely be on the roof of a dark cave or crevice.

Paao (Blennies), which are normally active in the day, appear lifeless and immobile at night.

Urchins, Sea cucumbers starfish, and brittlestars all belong to the same phyla (taxonomic group); where their most apparent unifying characteristic is their spiny skin and tubed feet (like suction cups). The brittlestars above, use their spines and feet to help them move along the bottom. Their “feet” actually lack suction cups, but still use them similar to other animals in this taxon.

The tube feet on loli (sea cucumbers) are usually quite apparent; you may notice this if you have tried to pull one off of a rock before. Their skin is not always spiny and can actually can be quite malleable when touched.

The spines on the hawae maoli (collector urchin) and wana (banded urchin) are much more apparent. It is easy to handle the collector urchins, but be cautious if you encounter wana… the shorter, sharp spines are very brittle and can puncture/break off into your skin if too much pressure is applied.

This long banded flatworm was an interesting find, as it was several feed long (left). Hydra (white tufts pictured), similar to anemones or polyps of a coral colony, were also abundant in the tidepools (right). Do not touch them, they can give you a nasty sting (unifying characteristic of Phylum Cnidaria – stinging cells)… similar to that of jellyfish, which are also related to anemones and corals, etc.

Corals were apparent in almost every tidepool, and even more abundant closer to the surge… which was bringing in the high tide (left). Thus, I decided to stay dry and headed back in to the Keauhou Outrigger to relax. hehe.

The coastline along Keauhou and Kahaluu has high cultural significance to Hawaiians in this area. Several parts of the coastline may also be on private property. Please respect any trespassing/restrictive signs and do not degrade the landscape in any way. DO NOT climb the Heiau (I’ve seen ignorant people do this before). If you are going reef walking at night, make sure to have felt-bottom footwear, as the rocks are extremely slick. Rubber sole reef walkers or shoes will likely get you into trouble. To explore more of the areas, try going during the lowest tide… if the tide is rising, make sure to mind the waves. Make sure to bring a headlamp or flashlight. There were larger animals in the tidepools, but I was not able to take pictures of them… I’m sure you’ll realize that night photography is not so easy, especially when you subjects don’t stay still! Good luck and stay safe!

To view this location on a Google Map also known as my “Adventure Map“, Click Here. For more adventures of the Lost Trailblazers, either look at my other blogposts and “Adventures with the Lost Trailblazers” photo gallery.