Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site
Puʻukoholā Heiau was built in the early 1790s as Kamehameha consolidated power, using an immense dry-laid stone platform above Kawaihae Bay.
Artwork inspired by Herb Kawainui Kāne
Puʻukoholā Heiau was built in the early 1790s as Kamehameha consolidated power, using an immense dry-laid stone platform above Kawaihae Bay. The landscape also includes Mailekini Heiau, the submerged Hale o Kapuni, shark traditions, Pelekane, and long histories before and after unification. Distance and topography are evidence: coast, channel, hill, and temple must be read together.
The main heiau is sacred and closed to entry; view it from the authorized trail without climbing or moving stone. Sun and wind can be intense, and the exposed route offers little shade, so water and respectful distance matter more than a close photograph.
- Context
- Hawaiʻi Island
- Defining feature
- Kamehameha history
- Allow
- 1½–2½ hours
Quick guide
- Start with
- Begin with Puʻukoholā Heiau so the larger story has a clear physical anchor.
- Look closely at
- Compare Kawaihae Bay with Kamehameha history; their relationship is what makes this stop distinctive.
Know before you go
- Start with
- Use Puʻukoholā Heiau to establish the place before widening the visit.
- Look closely at
- Compare Kawaihae Bay with Kamehameha history rather than treating either as background.
- Connect the story
- The landscape also includes Mailekini Heiau, the submerged Hale o Kapuni, shark traditions, Pelekane, and long histories before and after unification.
- Plan around
- The main heiau is sacred and closed to entry; view it from the authorized trail without climbing or moving stone.
Good to know
At Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site, do not separate Puʻukoholā Heiau from Kamehameha history. The main heiau is sacred and closed to entry; view it from the authorized trail without climbing or moving stone.
Notice these
- Puʻukoholā Heiau
- Kawaihae Bay
- Kamehameha history