Kamakahonu

Hawaii · United States · Hotel

Kamehameha the Great spent his last years on this ground and died here in 1819. Footsteps, chanting and battle cries are reported along the top floor.

This hotel at Kailua Kona stands on Kamakahonu, the royal compound where Kamehameha the Great lived out his final years and where he died in 1819.

The top floor is where the reports are. People describe footsteps, chanting, and cries of the kind raised in battle, along the corridors. Some describe warriors.

This needs to be set down with care. Kamehameha united the Hawaiian islands under one rule through a long and costly war, and he is one of the central figures in the history of these islands. Where his bones were taken after his death has never been disclosed, by design.

Ahuena Heiau, the temple he rebuilt, still stands on the shore beside the hotel and has been restored.

What is reported here is not a curiosity. This is a place of profound significance to Hawaiians, and it should be approached that way.

The hotel is open and the heiau can be seen from the beach.

FAQ

Where is Kamakahonu located?

Kamakahonu is in Hawaii, United States.

Image: dronepicr / CC BY 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons