Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site
The Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site contains three temples constructed of lava stones piled carefully into platforms and walls.
The Temple on the Hill of the Whale (Puukohola Heiau) was built under the direction of Kamehameha in 1790-1 to fulfill a prophesy that whoever built this war temple would become king of all Hawaii. Thousands of men formed a human chain 20 miles long to pass the sea-worn lava rocks hand-to-hand for the temple's construction.
The Temple on the Hill of the Whale (Puukohola Heiau) was built under the direction of Kamehameha in 1790-1 to fulfill a prophesy that whoever built this war temple would become king of all Hawaii. Thousands of men formed a human chain 20 miles long to pass the sea-worn lava rocks hand-to-hand for the temple's construction.
|
Must-see attractions nearby:
|
Any rock which dropped to the ground was discarded as impure.
The second temple (Mailekini Heiau) is older by several hundred years and was used by Kamehameha as a fort.
The third temple (Hale o Kapuni Heiau) is now submerged under the lagoon. It was dedicated to the sharks which are unusually swimming in such shallow water. The shark was the family symbol of the royalty which once inhabited the now disappeared village on this shore.
The second temple (Mailekini Heiau) is older by several hundred years and was used by Kamehameha as a fort.
The third temple (Hale o Kapuni Heiau) is now submerged under the lagoon. It was dedicated to the sharks which are unusually swimming in such shallow water. The shark was the family symbol of the royalty which once inhabited the now disappeared village on this shore.
Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site
62-3601 Kawaihae Road
Kawaihae, HI 96743
United States
62-3601 Kawaihae Road
Kawaihae, HI 96743
United States
Phone 1 (808) 882-7218
Fax 1 (808) 882-4610
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 7:45 | 7:45 | 7:45 | 7:45 | 7:45 | 7:45 | 7:45 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
This site is sacred to Hawaiian Polynesians and visitors should not climb on the temples or leave the path.
The path down to the viewpoint has steps which may present a challenge to those with disabilities.
Parking
Free
Disabled
No facilities for persons with disabilities.
Guides
Interpretive sessions sometimes available.
