News Release

Kauleoli Community Meeting

Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail through Kauleolī

NPS Photo

News Release Date: April 1, 2026

Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi – The National Park Service is inviting the community to participate in a planning effort for the Kauleolī Unit of Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail.

Kauleolī is a 95-acre shoreline landscape on the South Kona coast, just south of Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park. The National Park Service acquired the property in 2016 and 2021 to protect important cultural sites and preserve a historic section of the Ala Kahakai trail.

The planning process will establish a long-term vision for caring for Kauleolī, including protection of cultural resources, community uses, and appropriate visitor experiences.

“Kauleolī is a place with deep history and meaning for many families in South Kona,” said Superintendent Aric Arakaki. “We hope this planning process will bring people together to share their knowledge, perspectives, and ideas for how this special place should be cared for into the future.”

Community members are invited to attend a public meeting on April 18, 2026, from 2-5 p.m., at the Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden in Captain Cook. The National Park Service will share preliminary concepts, answer questions, and gather community input.

A 45-day public comment period will run from April 1 through May 15, 2026.

Comments may be submitted online at the project website or by mail.