23 Jan Koko O Na Moku Race Track
Named after the famous battle between two royal brothers who fought in the area, a race track stood right on Ka’anapali’s sandy beach. The track stretched from Ka’anapali Beach Hotel, past Aston at the Whaler on Kaanapali Beach and Whalers Village to The Westin Maui Resort & Spa. It was built for horse racing, which was a favorite sport of many members of Hawaiian royalty during the Gay 90′s era, as well as plantation owners and laborers. At the beginning of the 20th century, Maui residents would stand around the wooden fence and place bets on their favorite horses. As you can imagine, the track bustled with excitement on weekends, especially when some workers bet their week’s wages on a horse to win. It was a place of both joy and heartache. The race track thrived through World War I era, until the last official race was held on America’s Independence Day, July 4, 1918.
Source: Ka’anapali Historical Trail & History and Legends Tour, Pip Holo Ka’ao (A well told tale travels far and wide)