Waikoloa Beach, situated on the South Kohala coast of Hawaii’s Big Island, is located within the census-designated place of Puako. This location is sometimes mistaken for Waikoloa Village, which is another census-designated place in the same “ahupuaʻa” and is often referred to simply as “Waikoloa.”
This area boasts numerous significant cultural and geological elements rooted in ancient Hawaiian heritage. Notable features include aquaculture fishponds, anchialine ponds, and petroglyphs.
One of the remarkable historical elements is the Ala Kahakai, which translates to “trail by the sea.” This ancient pathway, extending along the coastline in the Waikoloa region, served as a vital link among various entities in Hawaiian culture, connecting communities, temples, fishing areas, and more. The Ala Kahakai, stretching for an estimated 175 miles (282 kilometers), is commonly known as the “King’s Trail.”