Pōhue Bay

Stretching along a remote shoreline of the Island of Hawai’i sits pristine beaches, rich ecosystems, and an astonishing array of well-preserved cultural sites. This is Pōhue Bay, which was added to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park in 2022 with the help of Trust for Public Land.

Critically endangered animals rely on Pōhue Bay’s rich resources. Hawksbill turtles, the rarest sea turtle in the Pacific Ocean, honu (green sea turtles), and endangered monk seals nest along the sandy shoreline.

But Pōhue Bay offers even more than its natural beauty and abundant habitats. The 16,451 acres host well-preserved and significant Hawaiian cultural sites, including the largest recorded abrader tool quarry in Hawaiʻi, ancient burials, mauka-makai (inland) trails, fishing shrines, remains of once thriving coastal villages, and petroglyphs dating from ancient times to the 19th century. A well-preserved portion of the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail hugs the coastline.

With the help of Trust for Public Land, Pōhue Bay has been safeguarded from development. While not yet accessible to the public, its preservation means that its invaluable cultural sites will be preserved and its critical ecosystems will remain protected for future generations.

Aloha ‘Āina | Love of the Land