Island Breeze Lū'au Royal Grounds / Location

King Kamehameha¹s Kona Beach Hotel stands on the grounds where King Kamehameha once resided, and is located in the heart of the historic fishing village of Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii. The incredible location overlooks Kona¹s only pristine white sand beach. From the hotel you can see the clear waters of Kailua Bay, the area known as Kamakahonu (means "eye of the turtle") and the Kailua Pier, which is world famous for being the departure pier for the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament. King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel features newly renovated rooms that have been redesigned to embody the essence of Hawaii. Each room features a private lanai, many with ocean views. Special in-room amenities include Bath & Body Works products, mini refrigerators and a large flat-screen television. For more information visit www.konabeachhotel.com

Here are driving directions from Kona International Airport to King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel, courtesy of Google Maps.

Ahu'ena Heiau

The ancient heiau temple is the last residence of Kamehameha the Great. Kamakahonu was the first capital of Hawai'i as Kamehameha the Great established residency there in 1812, entertaining visitors and conducting affairs for a newly unified kingdom.

Kamakahonu, the historic site of the Island Breeze Lü'au, is unique to all of Hawai'i. Here Kamehameha the Great, Hawai'i's king who conquered all the Hawaiian Islands in the early 1800s, made his home and ruled the Islands. Home to Hawaiian Ali' i (rulers), Kamakahonu was kapu (forbidden) to the average Hawaiian.

Kamehameha worshiped his gods and sought the advice of his generals and advisors at the Ahu'ena Heiau (the temple adjacent to the lü'au grounds) and now restored. Upon Kamehameha's death in 1819, his body was prepared for burial at a stone platform near the lü'au stage; the location of his burial site is one of the great mysteries of Hawai'i.

In November of 1819, Kamehameha's wives, Ka'ahumanu and Keöpüaolani, publicly ate with his heir, Liholiho, breaking the ancient Hawaiian kapu system (that men & women must eat separately), Kamehameha's high priest, Hewahewa, led in the destruction of na ki'i (idols at Ahu'ena). This began the dissolution of the native Hawaiian religion. His priest also predicted that a new religion would arrive in Kailua-Kona.

In the spring of 1820, the first missionary party from New England arrived in Kailua-Kona aboard the brig Thaddeus. They stepped ashore at the south end of Kamakahonu Bay on to a rock that for decades was known as the Plymouth Rock of Hawai'i.

Within the lobby of the King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel are displays, paintings and artifacts that tell the story of the Hawaiian ruler's life and times.