As far back as the A.D. 800s, the first inhabitants are believed to have arrived at ‘Anaeho‘omalu and settled near the Ku‘uali‘i and Kahāpapa fishponds in front of what is today the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa. These first people formed small fishing communities and depended on the sea for their survival, cultivating saltwater ponds and passing down traditional fishing practices for generations.
Today, visitors can experience glimpses of the historic site’s ancient characteristics:
- Visit Ku‘uali‘i and Kahāpapa fishponds at ‘Anaeho‘omalu.
- Tour the petroglyph fields, home to rock carvings speculated to be thousands of years old.
- Hike the Ala Kahakai Historic Trail, or Ala Loa Trail, that once linked communities, temples, fishing areas and other important locations on the island, serving as the route of travel for ancient chiefs.
- Visit the two rock structures adjacent to the fishponds, thought to have been constructed in the 1300s for religious purposes.
- Study the Waikoloa Anchialine Pond Preservation Area (WAPPA), a series of historic anchialine ponds maintained by Waikoloa Land Company.