Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site
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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. 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 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. 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.
Address:
Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site, 62-3601 Kawaihae Road, Kawaihae, HI 96743, United States
Phone: 1 (808) 882-7218, Fax: 1 (808) 882-4610
Phone: 1 (808) 882-7218, Fax: 1 (808) 882-4610
Hours:
7:45am-5pm
Tips: 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
Disability Access: No facilities for persons with disabilities.
Guides: Interpretive sessions sometimes available.
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