This in from my friend Jessica Ferracane who reps the Big Island Visitors Bureau and also writes some nice books about eating around the Big Island and Maui.

"Temporary buoys mark a 100-foot section along Kealakekua Bay - including the Captain Cook Monument - that remains closed to water activities and hiking, according to the Department of Land and Natural Resources. DLNR and the U.S. Coast Guard established the safety zone beneath the pali, or cliffside, following the Oct. 15, 2006 earthquake."

Jessica says that Fair Wind Cruises and Kings’ Trail Rides’ horseback adventure are among the tour companies that continue to run trips to the bay, although I am sure there are others. Fair warning here, as well. Even though kayak shops may rent canoes to visitors and tell them they can troll Kealakekua, they are wrong. You can only put boats in the water there with permitted tour outfits. From my understanding, the old hiking trail down to the Captain Cook Monument is either closed or the snorkeling area just offshore from this monument is closed, so don't bother. A pity, as its a fab place to glimpse the fishies. Here's some details.

Kings’ Trail Rides / (808) 323-2388
Fair Wind Cruises, call (808) 322-2788
Hawaii State DLNR Info for Captain Cook Monument / Kealakekua Bay

Image via Hawaii Activities

—Alex, 02/01/07