Hiking Kona - Kiholo South - Part 2: A'a, a'a, and more a'a.

When you take the trail at the far end of Luahinewai Beach. For the next mile or a little more you are walking on a very well-made Hawaiian trail through the very rough a'a of the 1800 Ka'upulehu flow, complete with smooth ocean rocks. The a'a flow provides a rough, elemental environment which, although picturesque:



or:


Or even:


By the time you see the end, you'll be glad. Remember bare lava + sun = hot. Bring lots of water.

The end of the trail and a glimpse of KaLaeMano:

Hiking Kona - Kiholo Bay going south - Part 1: Luahinewai

I started the story of this hike here.
Anyways, at the south end of Kiholo Bay
a trail goes to Luahinewai, the legendary cool pond where Kamehameha's rival, Keoua, who missed having all the vowels in his name by one "i", bathed ritually on his way to being killed by Kamehameha's men at Puukohola. Sometime, probably in the Ariyoshi years, the state gave someone, no doubt with political ties, the right to not only build a house right next to the pond, but restrict all public access to the pond. Nice pond, though.



To get to Luahinewai beach you have to cross a short trail (10 minutes) across a'a lava (1800 Ka'upulehu flow). Bring plenty of water.












About halfaway to Luahinewai is this little isolated beach.