Kohala, Big Island Webcams

Kohala Ranch Firewise Community (North Kohala, Hawai‘i) Cam

Kanehoa, South Kohala, Hawai‘i Cam

Kohala: The Cradle of Hawaiian Culture

Kohala, Big Island Webcams. The Kohala region on the northwest side of the Big Island of Hawaii is steeped in rich history and cultural significance. This lush, rural area was once the epicenter of ancient Hawaiian civilization, serving as the seat of power for generations of ruling chiefs and kings.

The Earliest Settlers
Human settlement of the Kohala area dates back over a thousand years, with the first Polynesian voyagers landing at places like Lapakahi State Historical Park in the 5th century AD. These intrepid explorers found an ideal environment to establish communities with ample food sources from the upslope agricultural lands, coastal fishponds, and pristine ocean waters.

The Rise of the Ali’i
Over centuries, a strict hierarchy developed in ancient Hawaiian society led by high chiefs known as ali’i. The Kohala region’s natural defenses of tall sea cliffs and expansive lava fields enabled the powerful ali’i nui (high chiefs) to solidify their rule from districts like Hawi and Kapaau.

One of the most famousali’i rulers was Kamehameha, who hailed from the Kohala area in the mid-1700s. Through strategic marriages and decisive battles, the young warrior chief succeeded in unifying all the Hawaiian islands under his rule by 1810, ushering in the Kingdom of Hawaii era.

Kohala’s Sacred Sites
The legacy of Kohala’s chiefly rulers is reflected in the many sacred sites, heiau (temples), fishponds, and archaeological complexes found throughout the region. At places like Mo’okini Heiau and Pu’ukohola, ritualistic sacrifices and religious ceremonies were once performed.

Other historic spots include the birthplace of King Kamehameha I at Mookini Rock, the royal fishponds of Pelekane and Kahapapa, and the Lapakahi settlement with reconstructed hale (thatched houses) from pre-Western contact times.

Agriculture and Decline
For centuries, Hawaiian society was sustained through the ahupuaa land management system, with communities cultivating taro, sweet potatoes, and other crops flowing from the sloped, rain-fed fields down to the ocean fisheries.

The arrival of European explorers and missionaries in the late 18th century ushered in monumental changes, including the collapse of the Hawaiian religion, the introduction of private property, and the displacement of native Hawaiians from their lands.

Today, Kohala’s heritage is preserved through the protection of significant archaeological sites, the restoration of fishponds and taro fields, and the teaching of cultural practices like hula, navigation, and traditional agriculture. Though no longer a ruling center, the Kohala area remains an enduring link to Hawaii’s fascinating ancient past.

For more information, visit the official Hawaii County website.

Kohala, Big Island Webcams

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