Pirate Tales at Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park

One fine day on the Big Island of Hawaii, a pirate crew set out an uncharted journey for what else, treasure. Come along on their exploration to find out what happened to the traveling legends.

The adventurers set out to find the undiscovered in hopes of bringing home the loot for their brethren at a far away land. Their ship (mini-van) was well equipped for the adventure this fine Hawaiian day, with adequate supplies (towels, pale, and shovels). Nestled behind a marina was Ala Kahakai in Kalaoa, Hawaii. After docking their ship, and a short hike, they stumbled upon a rather desolate beach.

By the looks of these photos found at the scene, they were not the first to explore this uncharted territory as evident of the thatched roof structure on the beach shore. However, there was no remaining supplies left by the natives to ward off the summer heat. The pirate crew had no expectations for this adventure, and did not even fully even know what lied beyond the residential remains. However, during the exploration of the site, it was really refreshing to find untapped coastline with very few humans around, as there surely would have been fear of an attack by the natives.

Fortunately, a little further down the beach was a nice little alcove to get out to the water, since the area was scattered with lava rocks, which would have been detrimental to ships. The secluded beach area, with palms to shield the sun, was a perfect spot for our hearty little crew to settle in. Many of the shipmates headed out for a refreshing dip in the Pacific Ocean, while the Captain (myself), as well as the oldest Powder Monkey (age 3) decided to get out their finest gear (the most expensive crab shaped bucket and shovel on the islands) and search for shallow, buried treasure.

As the crew played in the sand, and as any sea-legged kid would do, the tale goes that they started to dig a small home to fill their bucket. As they rummaged through the particles looking for gold, they were approached by a native (Park Ranger/Maintenance Person), sailing onto the scene on his quadruped (golf cart) and told the pirates they were not allowed to scavenge in the sand.

Is a beach not meant for digging? How do you tell a Powder Monkey (kid) that they are not allowed to dig in the sand? Strange. Were they afraid the pirates might excavate historic remains? Seemed like a strange request considering there was no signage or anything heeding the warning.

Did these pirates dig their own shallow grave? We may never know.

That, my friends, is a tale of the famous InACents pirate clan, and how they spent one of their final days amid the palm trees and sand at Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park. Heed the warning, “do not dig in the sand at Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park on the Big Island of Hawaii,” or otherwise dead men have no tale to tell.

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