Attractions Page for Exotic Car Rental in Kona, on the Big Island of Hawaii - Aloha Exotic Car Rental Company, Kailua-Kona, HI attractions page

The Sites!

Mauna Kea Summit

The highest peak in the state at 13,796 feet is Pu'u Wekiu on the Big Island's Mauna Kea volcano. Mauna Kea Summit-Astronomers consider Mauna Kea the planet’s premiere sky-watching site. Check out the heavens during an out-of-this-world activity.

Nearly a dozen observatories are rewriting the theory of the cosmos atop Mauna Kea. Meaning “White Mountain,” Mauna Kea often has a snowy winter summit. See the summit from one of our Hummers or take a tour. Check out www.americasroof.com/hi.shtml for great information and for an organized tour go to www.maunakea.com

The Mauna Kea Summit Observatory (Charlie Kaminski photo)

On the Top of the World View of Mauna Loa from the Summit Road

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Kalahuipuaa Fishponds

Like their Polynesian forefathers, Hawaiians were among the first aqua-culturists on the planet. Scientists still marvel at the ways they developed methods of using the brackish ponds along the shoreline to stock and harvest fish. There are actually two different types of ancient fishponds (loko i'a). Closed ponds, inshore and closed off from the ocean, were used to raise mullet and milkfish; open ponds were open to the sea, with rock walls as a barrier to the ocean and sluice gates that connected the ponds to the ocean. The gates were woven vines, with just enough room for juvenile fish to swim in at high tide while keeping the bigger, fatter fish from swimming out. Generally, the Hawaiians raised mullet, milkfish, and shrimp in these open ponds; juvenile manini, papio, eels, and barracuda found their way in during high tides.

The Kalahuipuaa Fishponds at Mauna Lani Resort (808/885-6622) are great examples of both types of ponds in a lush tropical setting. South of the Mauna Lani Resort are Kuualii and Kahapapa Fishponds at the Royal Waikoloan Hotel (tel. 808/885-6789). Both resorts have taken great pains to restore the ponds to their original state and to preserve them for future generations; call ahead to arrange a free guided tour.

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Kaupulehu Petrolyphs

Here you can see some of the finest images in the Hawaiian islands. There are many petroglyphs of sails, canoes, fish, and chiefs in headdresses, plus a burial scene with three stick figures. Kite motifs--rare in rock art--similar to those found in New Zealand are also here.

At Kona Village Resort, Queen Kaahumanu Hwy. Phone: 808/325-5555 . Free admission. Guided tours three times a week; reservations required.. Turn off Hwy. 19 at the sign for Hualalai, then proceed 2.3 miles to the resort. The petroglyphs are reached via a footpath that passes the luau grounds, but you'll need a reservation to get past the gatehouse.

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