By Kai Ioh | October 2025
The 2025 IRONMAN World Championship has come and gone, leaving behind a trail of unforgettable moments here on the Big Island. Mahalo to every athlete, volunteer, and supporter who made it a success.
If you’ve followed my blog or newsletter, you’ve likely seen the thatched-roofed temple and stone altar near the north end of Kailua Bay, just in front of the King Kamehameha Hotel. It often makes a quiet cameo in footage from events like IRONMAN, the Queen Liliʻuokalani Canoe Race, and the Kona Brewers Festival.
But this isn’t just a scenic backdrop—it’s Kamakahonu, one of the most sacred and historically significant places in all of Hawaii.
Kamakahonu: The Eye of the Turtle, and the Heart of a Kingdom
In Hawaiian, Kamakahonu means “the eye of the turtle.” And like its namesake, this gentle curve of bay once served as a powerful symbol of wisdom, protection, and vision.
Around 1812, King Kamehameha I chose this bay as the seat of his unified Hawaiian kingdom after years of conquest and diplomacy. He made it his final residence, transforming it into the political and spiritual center of the Hawaiian islands.
Imagine Kailua Bay not as the relaxed oceanside town we know today, but as the epicenter of power, where Kamehameha held council, established law, and shaped the future of the kingdom. It was here, too, in 1819, that the great king passed away—marking the end of one era and the beginning of another.
Ahuʻena Heiau: A Temple of Peace and Prosperity
At the heart of Kamakahonu sits Ahuʻena Heiau, the thatched-roof temple built and dedicated by King Kamehameha himself to the god Lono—protector of peace, agriculture, and prosperity.
What you see today is a faithful reconstruction, guided by cultural experts and historians. Surrounded by coconut palms and the scent of native sandalwood, the heiau remains sacred, preserved as a site of deep reverence.
We can’t enter the heiau itself, but simply standing nearby—hearing the conch shell blow at sunset, watching torches flicker as the sky darkens—you’ll feel it. A hush. A stillness. A quiet power that connects past to present.
Kamakahonu isn’t just a historical site—it’s a living link between the Hawaii that was and the Hawaii we live in today.
Modern Visionaries, Historic Ground
Just north of the heiau stands another notable landmark: the Thurston Estate. This private oceanfront compound sits directly atop the area where Kamehameha once lived.
Though very different in function, the estate’s legacy continues to evolve. Once owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, it’s now in the hands of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman—a modern-day innovator drawn, perhaps not coincidentally, to the same shores where Hawaii’s first great unifier once ruled.
The estate, currently listed at $49 million, features one of Hawaii’s rare private lagoons and a large “power stone” said to have once supported King Kamehameha and Queen Kaʻahumanu themselves. I had the privilege of sitting on it. Let’s just say—it didn’t feel like any ordinary rock.
More Than a Luxury Property
This home isn’t just a luxurious retreat. It’s a place where you can feel Hawaii—its history, its mana, its sense of place.
For those who are seeking more than just ocean views and resort living—those looking to become a part of Hawaii’s story—this is the kind of property that speaks deeply.
And if you’re someone who feels the pull of both past and future, of natural beauty and cultural meaning, Kamakahonu is where they converge.
If you’re curious about this exceptional estate, here’s the Property Information Link.
Call me if you’d like to own a piece of living history in Hawaiʻi’s original royal capital. Hawaii is seeking a new steward for this exceptional land.
Quiet Force, Then and Now
Next time you visit the Kailua Pier, take a moment to look toward the heiau.
Let the rhythm of the ocean and the stillness of the stones remind you: this isn’t just where history happened. It’s where legacy continues—in the spirit of the land (ʻāina), in the hearts of the people, and in the visionaries who continue to be drawn here.
If you’re interested in properties that embody both Hawaii’s natural beauty and its deep cultural roots, let’s talk. I’d be honored to help you discover a home with true meaning.
—Kai
