St. Benedict’s Church
The painted church in the south Kona district (Hōnaunau) is officially called the st. Benedict roman catholic church. It was built in 1842 in Kapalelua, and was moved to its present location around 1880.
St. Benedict Parish is located on the leeward slopes of the 13,680 feet volcano mountain called Mauna Loa {Long Mountain) in the District of South Kona, Island of Hawaii. Originally its population was all Hawaiian living in fourteen villages in South Kona.
The original chapel, located on the shore of Honaunau Bay Dear the City of Refuge in the National Historical Park, was known as St. Francis Regis Chapel.
By the mid-1880’s most of the Honaunau people had moved away from the beach area to more fertile soil about two miles up the slopes.
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
The City of Refuge National Historical Park includes the puʻuhonua and a complex of archeological sites including: temple platforms, royal fishponds, sledding tracks, and some coastal village sites. The Hale o Keawe temple and several thatched structures have been reconstructed.
Contact the Park:
PO BOX 129, Honaunau, HI 96726
Phone: (808) 328-2326
Kealakekua Bay
Kealakekua Bay is about 12 miles south of Kailua-Kona. Settled over a thousand years ago, the surrounding area contains many archeological and historical sites such as religious temples (heiaus) and also includes the spot where the first documented European to reach the Hawaiian islands, Captain James Cook, was killed.
The bay is a marine life conservation district, a popular destination for kayaking, scuba diving, and snorkeling.
