Kaunaoa Bay Kaunaoa Bay Kaunaoa Bay has one of the few white sand beaches of the Kohala Coast, the western side of the island of Hawaii. A historic hotel, the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, is located on beautiful Kauna'oa. The word 'kauna'oa' may refer to a few different things, any of which may have been why native Hawaiians named this beach so: the first definition refers to a thin, orange vine with yellow flowers, (Cuscuta sandwichiana), which is found throughout most Hawai'i (this is the official lei vine of Lanai). However, the second definition refers to a mollusk (Vermetidae), and a third
Lei (garland) and seeds. The most commonly used flowers are those of plumerias, tuberose, carnations, orchids, and "pikake", though "maile" leaves, ferns, and "tī" leaves are extremely popular as well as traditional among "hula" dancers. Other types of "lei" may include sea or land shells, fish teeth, bones, feathers, plastic flowers, fabric, paper (including origami and monetary bills), candy, or anything that can be strung together in a series or pattern and worn as a wreath or a necklace. The Hawaiian Island of Ni‘ihau is famous for its lei made of tiny gem-like shells. The eight most common methods of making "lei"