Kailua-Kona history

Foundation and First Mentions

Kailua-Kona is a place with deep historical roots, stretching back to the era of ancient Polynesian voyagers. Initially, it was an important fishing and agricultural settlement. Its "golden age" began in the early 19th century when the great King Kamehameha I, who united the Hawaiian Islands, chose this location as his main residence.

From 1812 to 1820, Kailua-Kona was effectively the first capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii. It was here, at the royal residence of Kamakahonu on the shores of the bay, that the king spent the final years of his life governing the state.

Key Factors of Development

A number of factors contributed to the transformation of the small settlement into an important centre:

• Political Power: The presence of the king and the high nobility (Aliʻi) made the city the centre of political decisions and diplomacy of that time.
• Geography and Climate: Its location on the leeward (western) side of the Island of Hawaiʻi provided protection from trade winds, calm waters in Kailua Bay for mooring ships, and sunny weather.
• Religious Significance: The temple Ahuena Heiau, restored by the king and dedicated to Lono, the god of peace and prosperity, was located here, giving the site a sacred status.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The cultural landscape of the city underwent significant changes in 1820 with the arrival of the first Christian missionaries. Soon, Mokuaikaua Church was erected here—the oldest Christian church in the Hawaiian Islands, built from lava rock and coral.

The economy of the early period developed in several directions:

• Traditional Crafts: Fishing and taro cultivation remained the foundation of life for the local population.
• Trade: The bay became a point for exchanging food for goods from European ships, as well as a hub for the sandalwood trade.
• Agriculture: Later, thanks to the unique microclimate on the slopes of the Hualālai volcano, the region became the cradle for growing the world-famous Kona coffee.

Chronology of Kailua-Kona's Development

The history of Kailua-Kona is rich in events that determined the fate of not only the city but all the Hawaiian Islands. Below are the key milestones in the region's development.

• 1812: King Kamehameha I returns to the Big Island and makes Kailua-Kona the capital of the united Kingdom of Hawaii.
• 1819: Kamehameha I passes away at the Kamakahonu royal residence, after which the ancient system of religious restrictions (kapu) is officially abolished here.
• 1820: The first Protestant missionaries from New England arrive in Kailua Bay, bringing Christianity and Western literacy.
• 1828: Missionary Samuel Ruggles plants the first coffee trees in the area, laying the foundation for the Kona coffee industry.
• 1837: Construction of the stone building of Mokuaikaua Church is completed; it remains to this day as an architectural monument.
• 1838: Governor John Adams Kuakini builds Huliheʻe Palace, which subsequently became the summer residence of the Hawaiian royal family.
• 1840s: Kailua-Kona turns into a quiet fishing village after the kingdom's capital is moved to Lahaina, and then to Honolulu.
• 1890s: An influx of Japanese immigrants revitalises the region's agriculture, turning coffee cultivation into the backbone of the local economy.
• 1928: The historic Huliheʻe Palace opens to the public as a museum managed by the "Daughters of Hawaii" organisation.
• 1970: The opening of Keahole International Airport (now Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport) opens the west coast of the island to mass tourism.
• 1981: The Ironman World Championship triathlon moves from Oahu to Kona, making the city a world-renowned sports centre.
• 2011: A tsunami caused by an earthquake in Japan damages the coastal zone and the King Kamehameha Hotel, requiring extensive restoration work.

Key Stages of the City's Transformation

The development of Kailua-Kona is a story of transformation from a sacred royal residence to a world-class resort. Each of these events radically changed the appearance, economy, and status of the city.

1. The Era of the Royal Capital (1812–1819)

The choice of Kailua-Kona as a residence by King Kamehameha I became a city-forming factor. It was during this period that the foundation of the historic centre was laid.

• Significance: The city acquired the status of the political and sacred centre of the archipelago. Objects preserved from that time (Ahuena Heiau temple) today form the historical core of the waterfront and are the main points of attraction for tourists interested in culture.

2. The Missionary Architectural Revolution (1820–1840)

The arrival of missionaries brought new construction technologies. The erection of Mokuaikaua Church and Huliheʻe Palace from lava rock and coral limestone forever changed the city's panorama.

• Significance: The transition from traditional grass huts to permanent stone structures set the vector for architectural development. These buildings today serve as visual landmarks of the city and museums preserving the history of cultural interaction.

3. Formation of the Coffee Belt (Late 19th Century)

After the decline of the whaling industry and the outflow of the population to Honolulu, the economic salvation of the region was the cultivation of coffee on the slopes of the Mauna Loa and Hualālai volcanoes.

• Significance: This created a unique agricultural landscape around the city. The Kona Coffee brand became the economic engine of the region long before mass tourism and remains an important export item and tourist attraction (coffee tours) to this day.

4. Airport Opening and Tourism Boom (1970)

The construction of Keahole International Airport (now Ellison Onizuka) on the lava fields north of the city was the main turning point in modern history.

• Significance: The airport opened the "Kona Coast" to direct flights from the mainland. This triggered an explosive growth in hotel construction, turning a quiet fishing village into the main tourism hub of the Big Island and changing the employment structure of the population in favour of the service sector.

5. Global Sports Recognition (Since 1981)

The relocation of the Ironman World Championship triathlon from the island of Oahu to Kailua-Kona.

• Significance: This event gave the city global fame and a unique marketing niche. The annual influx of thousands of athletes and spectators stimulated the development of sports infrastructure and services, cementing Kona's image as a prestigious and active resort.

6. Transformation of Aliʻi Drive

The gradual transformation of the main coastal street from an ordinary road into a lively promenade with shops, restaurants, and galleries.

• Significance: Aliʻi Drive became the economic artery of the city. The urban planning focus shifted to creating a comfortable pedestrian environment along the ocean, uniting historical monuments, businesses, and recreation zones into a single tourism cluster.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architecture of Kailua-Kona represents a unique fusion of Polynesian traditions, the austere style of New England missionaries, and modern resort aesthetics. Unlike many metropolises, there are no high-rise skyscrapers here: urban planning regulations maintain the city's low-rise profile so as not to obstruct views of the ocean and mountains.

Main Architectural Eras and Styles

In the appearance of the historic centre, one can clearly trace the succession of eras, each of which left its iconic monuments.

• Ancient Hawaiian Period (Pre-1820)
  Style: Polynesian Vernacular Architecture.
  This period is characterised by the use of exclusively natural materials: massive basalt boulders (lava rock) for foundations and platforms (heiau), as well as ʻōhiʻa wood and loulu palm leaves for frames and roofs.
  Iconic Object: The Ahuena Heiau temple (restored version). This is an example of sacred architecture with a stone platform and traditional thatched structures.
• Missionary Period (1820–1850)
  Style: Adapted Colonial Style / "Hawaiian Missionary".
  Missionaries arriving from Boston brought architectural features of New England but were forced to adapt them to local resources. Instead of brick, lava blocks held together with mortar made from burnt coral and sand were used.
  Iconic Object: Mokuaikaua Church. Its high spire tower and massive stone walls are a symbol of this era and the main vertical landmark of the centre.
• Monarchy Era and Victorian Influence (Mid-19th — Early 20th Century)
  Style: Tropical Victorian Style.
  Buildings of this time are distinguished by greater elegance, the use of plaster over stone, wide verandas (lanais) for natural ventilation, and decorative elements made of precious woods.
  Iconic Object: Huliheʻe Palace. The former summer residence of kings demonstrates a transition to a secular lifestyle with elements of Western comfort.
• Modern Resort Modernism (Since 1970s)
  Style: Tropical Modernism.
  With the development of tourism, an "open-air" style was formed: the absence of solid walls in hotel lobbies and shopping centres, wide canopies, and the integration of buildings into the lava landscape.
  Iconic District: The Aliʻi Drive promenade, where modern restaurants, shops, and resort complexes are organically integrated into the coastline.

Urban Planning Features

The layout of Kailua-Kona is historically determined by the complex terrain and proximity to the Hualālai volcano:

• Linear Structure: The city stretches as a narrow strip along the coast. The main tourist artery, Aliʻi Drive, follows the curves of the coastline, connecting historical monuments and recreation zones.
• Use of Landscape: Many buildings are constructed directly on solidified lava flows, and black volcanic stone is used universally in landscape design and facade cladding, creating a recognisable visual code for the city.

Notable Figures of Kailua-Kona

The history of Kailua-Kona is inextricably linked with the names of great rulers, religious figures, and modern heroes. These people not only shaped the appearance of the city but also influenced the course of history for the entire Hawaiian archipelago.

• Kamehameha I (The Great)
  First King of Hawaii, unifier of the islands.
  He chose Kailua-Kona as his final residence and the capital of the kingdom. It was here that he spent the last years of his life (1812–1819), governing the state and maintaining peace. His presence turned a small village into the political centre of the Pacific Ocean of that time.
• John Adams Kuakini
  Governor of the Island of Hawaiʻi (1820–1844).
  One of the most influential Aliʻi (chiefs) of his era. He was the main initiator of the construction of the city's iconic buildings that have survived to this day: Huliheʻe Palace and the Great Stone Church of Mokuaikaua. Kuakini actively promoted the modernisation of the city.
• Queen Kaʻahumanu
  Favourite wife of Kamehameha I and Regent of the Kingdom.
  It was in Kailua-Kona, after her husband's death, that she initiated the abolition of the ancient system of "kapu" prohibitions by sitting down at the same table with men for a meal. This event, known as "ʻAi Noa", radically changed the social and religious order of the Hawaiians.
• Asa Thurston
  First American Christian missionary in Kona.
  Arrived in Kailua Bay in 1820 on the brig "Thaddeus". He founded the first Christian mission on the island and oversaw the construction of Mokuaikaua Church. He lived in Kailua-Kona for over 40 years, having a huge influence on the education and culture of the local population.
• Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani
  Royal personage and the largest landowner in 19th-century Hawaii.
  She owned Huliheʻe Palace and often used it as her residence. She is known as a staunch defender of Hawaiian traditions and language, refusing to speak English despite her high position and wealth.
• Ellison Onizuka
  NASA Astronaut, Colonel in the US Air Force.
  A native of the Kona district (Kealakekua settlement). He became the first American of Asian descent to fly into space. He tragically died in the "Challenger" shuttle disaster in 1986. The international airport in Kailua-Kona bears his name, and there is a space centre dedicated to him in the city.
• Mark Allen
  Legendary triathlete, six-time Ironman World Champion.
  Although not a native resident, his name is inextricably linked with the modern history of the city. His epic victories and rivalries on the courses of Kona in the 1980s and 1990s made the city the world capital of triathlon and cemented its status as a cult sports destination.