Puukohola Heiau Photos
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Puukohola Heiau, Big Island
The heiau (see more photos) is where King Kamehameha the Great brought down his last opponent, Keoua, and united the Hawaiian Islands under his reign. By 1790, the king had conquered the islands of Maui, Molokai and Lanai, but control over his home island, the Big Island of Hawaii, was a challenge. He was told by a prophet that if he built a heiau (temple) atop Pu'ukohola and dedicated it to the war god Kuka'ilomoku, he would rule all the Hawaiian Islands.
Oral stories that have been passed down from generation to generation tell that the king and his men carried rocks all the way from Pololu Valley to this location by forming a human chain 20 miles (32 km) long. The heiau was completed in 1791, and the king held a ceremony, to which he invited his cousin and rival Keoua, the chief of Ka'u. When he came ashore on Pelekane Beach fronting the heiau, Kamehameha killed him and took him to the heiau as a first offering to the gods. After Keoua's death, Kamehameha gained control of the Big Island and all other islands by 1810.
There used to be an altar, drum house, tower and additional thatched huts, but when Kamehameha died in 1819, the heiau was abandoned. Today, only the rock foundation remains, which measures 224 feet (68 m) by 100 feet (30 m), with 16-20 foot (5-6 m) walls.
The temple is part of an official national historic site and is maintained by the National Park Service. The park features an interpretive trail leading from the visitor center to the ruins of the heiau, with descriptions and educational plaques along the way.
Every August on the weekend closest to Establishment Day, the Pu'ukohola Heiau hosts a free, two-day Hawaiian Cultural Festival, which celebrates local customs and traditions, from food and clothing to various forms of art. Visitors can join a wide range of activities, such as Hawaiian handicrafts, native dances, music performances and educational games for children.
Hours: Open daily from 7:30 am to 4 pm, free admission
Puukohola Heiau Overview
- Large sacred heiau where human sacrifices took place
- Built by King Kamehameha I in 1791
- Heiau is a National Historical Site
- Free map (highlighting points of interest) available at the entrance
Location: Akoni Pule Hwy, Kamuela, Hawaii 96743 Directions: The heiau is located on the Big Island's northwest shore, just north of Spencer Beach Park and the junction of Highway 19 and Highway 270.
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