Old Kona Airport

Old Kona Airport Marine Life Conservation District protects 217 acres of nearshore marine habitat off the west coast of Hawaii Island, adjacent to the Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area built on a decommissioned World War II-era airstrip in Kailua-Kona. The MLCD was established in 1992 to conserve the rich coral reef ecosystem fronting the park, which features extensive lava rock reef formations extending to depths of fifty feet before dropping off into deep ocean waters. The former runway and surrounding 104 acres of land now serve as a community park with athletic facilities, picnic areas, and beach access, while the protected offshore waters provide outstanding snorkeling and shore diving opportunities. Known locally as "Old A," the site uniquely combines urban accessibility with genuine marine conservation, allowing residents and visitors to experience healthy reef ecosystems within walking distance of downtown Kailua-Kona. The juxtaposition of a former airport runway with a thriving marine preserve makes this one of the most unusual conservation areas in Hawaii.

The protected waters of the Old Kona Airport MLCD support a diverse assemblage of reef fish species that have flourished under fishing restrictions since 1992. Common species include yellow tang, achilles tang, saddle wrasse, ornate butterflyfish, Moorish idols, bluefin trevally, and several species of parrotfish and surgeonfish. Hawaiian green sea turtles are regular visitors, often seen resting on the reef or grazing on algae in the shallows. The deeper waters at the reef edge attract larger pelagic species including manta rays, which occasionally cruise the drop-off, and whitetip reef sharks that shelter in crevices during the day. Hawaiian spinner dolphins pass through the offshore waters, particularly in morning hours. Invertebrate life on the reef includes several species of sea urchins, sea cucumbers, colorful nudibranchs, and octopus that hide among the lava rock formations. The large sandy tidepool near Kukailimoku Point provides a protected nursery habitat where juvenile fish develop before moving to the outer reef, making it an important component of the broader marine ecosystem.

The terrestrial vegetation of the Old Kona Airport park is sparse due to the arid leeward climate and the disturbed nature of the former airfield, consisting primarily of drought-tolerant coastal species and planted shade trees. Native naupaka bushes line portions of the shoreline, while coconut palms and kiawe trees provide shade throughout the picnic areas. The marine flora within the MLCD is considerably richer, with several species of coral providing the structural foundation of the reef ecosystem. Lobe coral, cauliflower coral, finger coral, and rice coral form the dominant reef-building species, creating the complex three-dimensional habitat that supports the fish community. Various species of limu, or marine algae, grow on the reef surfaces and in the tidepools, including edible varieties that were traditionally harvested by Native Hawaiians. Crustose coralline algae cement the reef structure together and provide settlement surfaces for new coral recruits. The health of the coral community within the MLCD has generally been maintained through protection from fishing pressure, though periodic bleaching events associated with elevated ocean temperatures pose ongoing concerns.

The coastline at Old Kona Airport is formed by relatively young basaltic lava flows from Hualalai volcano, which last erupted in 1801 and produced the flows that extend into the ocean along this stretch of coast. The reef structure consists of numerous low-profile lava fingers extending seaward, creating channels, crevices, and pools that provide diverse habitat for marine life. Beyond the shallow reef shelf at approximately fifty feet depth, the ocean floor drops off sharply into deep water, a characteristic of the steep submarine slopes of young Hawaiian volcanic islands. The lava rock shoreline is rough and pockmarked by wave erosion and chemical weathering, creating tidepools of various sizes that serve as distinct microhabitats. The sandy beach areas are composed of calcareous sand derived from coral, shell fragments, and the skeletons of marine organisms, mixed with olivine and basalt grains from the volcanic substrate. Anchor stones and worked basalt artifacts found in the area indicate that Hawaiians modified the coastal geology for fishing and canoe landing purposes long before the airport was constructed.

The Old Kona Airport area enjoys the characteristically dry and sunny climate of the Kona Coast, receiving less than twenty inches of annual rainfall in one of the driest inhabited zones in Hawaii. Daytime temperatures typically range from the upper seventies to mid-eighties Fahrenheit throughout the year, moderated by afternoon sea breezes that develop as the volcanic slopes heat up. The leeward location provides shelter from the prevailing northeast trade winds, creating generally calm ocean conditions that make snorkeling pleasant on most days. Occasional kona winds from the south or southwest can bring brief periods of rain and rougher surf, particularly during winter months. Ocean water temperatures remain warm year-round, ranging from approximately seventy-five to eighty degrees Fahrenheit, supporting the coral reef ecosystem. Coastal fog is rare, and the area experiences abundant sunshine exceeding 270 days per year. The calm conditions and clear visibility in the protected waters make the MLCD accessible to snorkelers of varying ability levels throughout most of the year.

The Kona Coast has been continuously inhabited by Hawaiians for centuries, and the area around what is now the Old Kona Airport was part of the ahupuaa land division system that organized Hawaiian communities from mountain to sea. Archaeological evidence includes habitation sites, fishing shrines, and petroglyphs in the surrounding lava fields that predate European contact. The nearshore waters were important fishing grounds managed under the traditional kapu system, which regulated harvest seasons and methods to ensure sustainability. Following Western contact, the town of Kailua became the seat of the Hawaiian monarchy under Kamehameha III, and the Kona Coast developed into a center for coffee cultivation and cattle ranching. During World War II, a small military landing strip was cleared near the end of Kuakini Highway to support defense operations. In 1947, the State of Hawaii approved construction of a passenger terminal and 3,800-foot runway for commercial tourist flights, which became operational in 1949. The airport served as Kona's primary air facility until the larger Keahole Airport opened farther north in 1970.

After the Kona International Airport relocated to Keahole Point in 1970, the old airfield sat unused until it was converted into a state recreation area in 1976, transforming the decommissioned runway and terminal into public parkland. The marine waters offshore were designated as a Marine Life Conservation District in 1992, recognizing the ecological value of the reef system and establishing strict no-take protections. The park subsequently developed into a major community recreation hub, with the county of Hawaii building athletic fields, the Kona Community Aquatic Center, a gymnasium, and numerous sports facilities on the flat terrain of the former runway. The MLCD designation has been credited with allowing fish populations to recover and coral coverage to increase compared to unprotected coastline nearby. Management of the site involves coordination between state agencies overseeing the marine conservation district and county agencies maintaining the recreational facilities. The dual identity of the site as both a community athletic complex and a marine conservation area represents an unusual model for combining active recreation with environmental protection in an urban coastal setting.

The primary attraction of the MLCD is the snorkeling and shore diving accessible from multiple entry points along the rocky shoreline. A partially protected cove at the northwestern end of the beach provides the easiest water entry for snorkelers, offering immediate access to coral formations and abundant fish life in shallow water. The sandy tidepool near Kukailimoku Point on the eastern end is popular with families and children, providing a calm wading area with small fish and marine invertebrates visible in the clear water. Shore divers can explore the deeper reef shelf and the dramatic drop-off into blue water beyond fifty feet, where visibility often exceeds one hundred feet. The long stretch of former runway provides a flat, paved walking and jogging path with ocean views. A reef break east of the prominent formation known as Shark Rock provides a popular surfing spot for local wave riders. The park's sports facilities include baseball diamonds, soccer fields, tennis and basketball courts, a skate park, and the community aquatic center, making it a comprehensive recreation destination beyond its marine conservation function.

Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area is located at the north end of Kailua-Kona town, easily accessible from Kuakini Highway and within walking distance of the town's hotels, restaurants, and shops. Ample free parking is available along the length of the former runway. The park provides covered picnic pavilions, restrooms, outdoor showers, and grassy areas for relaxation. No lifeguards are stationed at the beach, and visitors should exercise caution when entering the water, particularly along the rocky shoreline where waves can surge unexpectedly. Snorkeling gear can be rented from numerous shops in downtown Kailua-Kona. The park is open daily and there is no entrance fee. The community aquatic center and gymnasium operate on separate schedules with their own fee structures. Food and supplies are readily available in the adjacent town, making the site convenient for day visits. Visitors to the MLCD should be aware that collecting any marine life, coral, or geological specimens is strictly prohibited, and touching or standing on coral damages the reef ecosystem.

The Old Kona Airport MLCD serves as an important demonstration of how marine protection can restore reef ecosystems even in an urban setting. Since the 1992 designation, monitoring studies have documented increases in fish biomass and diversity compared to adjacent unprotected shorelines, validating the conservation approach. Regulations prohibit all fishing, collecting of marine life or geological specimens, anchoring of watercraft, and operation of motorized vessels within the MLCD boundaries. Enforcement of these regulations relies on both state aquatic resources officers and community awareness. Coral reef monitoring programs track the health of the reef, watching for signs of bleaching, disease, or damage from runoff and sedimentation. The paved surfaces of the former airport minimize terrestrial runoff compared to undeveloped shorelines, though stormwater management from the athletic facilities requires attention to prevent pollutants from reaching the marine environment. Community education programs and interpretive signage help visitors understand the importance of the no-take zone and proper reef etiquette, including not standing on coral, not feeding fish, and using reef-safe sunscreen to minimize chemical impacts on the sensitive marine ecosystem.