The wetland area behind Makalawena beach was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1972 . The marsh is known as Ōpaeula Pond ( Hawaiian for " red shrimp " ) and was the site of a small fishing village that was wiped out in the 1946 tsunami . The of wetland provide one of the last remaining nesting grounds of the '' āeo '' ( Hawaiian stilt , '' Himantopus mexicanus knudseni '' ) , the '' alae keokeo '' ( Hawaiian coot , '' Fulica alai '' ) , and the only known breeding area for the '' aukuu '' ( black-crowned night heron , '' Nycticorax nycticorax hoactli '' ) in Hawaii . The pond is located at coordinates in the privately owned area between the two sections of the state park
1946 tsunami
1946 Aleutian Islands earthquake
Kekaha Kai State Park