Kailua-Kona in Hawaii County, Hawaii — Hawaiian Island Archipelago (Pacific Ocean)

Marine Life

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 11, 2018

1. Marine Life Marker

Inscription. When the first Polynesians landed in Hawai‘i, most of the life they found here was unique to this place. Organisms found only in one place are called endemic — and Hawai‘i has one of the highest rates of endemism on the planet.

The first settlers were adept fishermen who were guided by a network of integrated kapu (rules) that determined when an area was healthy enough to be utilized. Konohiki managed closures of an area to fishing depending on seasons, life cycles of fish, moon phases and other natural clocks.

Kohola (humpback whales), nai‘a (dolphins) and honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles) all have counterpoints in the rich tapestry of Hawaiian legends. While kohola are seasonal, arriving in Hawai‘i’s waters every winter, nai‘a and honu are visible year-round.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 19° 38.178′ N, 155° 59.552′ W. Marker is in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, in Hawaii County. It can be reached from Ali'i Drive 0.1 miles south of

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Hualalai Road, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located in Hale Halawai Park, near the southwest corner of the parking lot, overlooking Oneo Bay. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 75-5760 Ali'i Drive, Kailua Kona HI 96740, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Kona Coast

and in the Volcanic Hawaii.

Globally, it is in North America,

Polynesia,

the Pacific Ocean,

North Pacific,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hulihe‘e Palace (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ki'ope Pond (approx. 0.2 miles away); The First Hawaiian Christian (approx. ¼ mile away); Hulihe‘e Palace / Moku‘aikaua Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Mokuaikaua Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Niumalu Beach / Kailua Bay (approx. 0.3 miles away); Ahu'ena Heiau (approx. 0.4 miles away); Kamakahonu (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kailua-Kona.

Also see . . . Hawaii - History and Heritage. The Hawaiian Islands were first

Marine Life Marker (<i>wide view; Oneo Bay in the background</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 11, 2018

2. Marine Life Marker (wide view; Oneo Bay in the background)

settled as early as 400 C.E., when Polynesians from the Marquesas Islands, 2000 miles away, traveled to Hawaii’s Big Island in canoes. Highly skilled farmers and fishermen, Hawaiians lived in small communities ruled by chieftains who battled one another for territory. (Submitted on September 17, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 15, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 15, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 308 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 15, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2. submitted on September 17, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.