LAʻALOA PARK IN KONA TO REOPEN THURSDAY, MARCH 28

LAʻALOA PARK IN KONA TO REOPEN THURSDAY, MARCH 28

The County of Hawaiʻi Department of Parks & Recreation announces that Laʻaloa Park in Kailua-Kona will reopen on Thursday, March 28.

Located makai of Aliʻi Drive in Kona adjacent to Magic Sands Beach Park, Laʻaloa Park is a culturally sensitive site that includes Haukālua Heiau and other culturally significant features.

“We appreciate the close collaboration with the State Historic Preservation Division and other key stakeholders on this important effort to protect cultural resources and reopen Laʻaloa Park,” said Mayor Mitch Roth. “Together with the recently completed accessibility improvement project at the adjacent Magic Sands Beach Park, these projects represent over $2.8 million in upgrades to our public parks in Kona. More importantly, they are a commitment to providing greater access to our public facilities and enhancing awareness and protection of critical cultural resources.”

The project included reducing the size of the original parking lot, creating a new exit driveway, and realigning rock walls to establish a protective buffer around the heiau. Cinder walking paths, interpretive signs, and native plants were incorporated into the park to protect the cultural sites through understanding and awareness.

The area makai of the new parking lot is an archaeological preservation area, which is a historic site that is protected by state law and damages there are punishable under HRS §6E-11. The public is advised to always stay within the provided pathways and to never move rocks, take rocks, or otherwise damage features in this area.

The county is looking forward to working with community stewardship groups to manage a passive interpretive program for this park. Interested parties are encouraged to contact the department at (808) 961-8311 for more information.

Park hours are 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.