27. Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site, Hawaii

               Hello and welcome back to our blog.  In this post we return to Hawaii to examine a pivotal place in the state’s history that led to the unification of Hawaii, Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site.

Entrance Sign

BACKGROUND: 

               In 1790 the Hawaiian chieftain Kamehameha had conquered several of the Hawaiian Islands in his quest to unite the nation.  However, some islands still resisted.  In order to fulfill a prophecy given to him by his aunt, Kamehameha ordered the construction of a temple to appease the Hawaiian war god on the largest island, Hawaii.  After a year of work, the temple was complete and Kamehameha was rewarded.  Armed with European cannon and firearms, Kamehameha unleashed his forces on the remaining independent islands, subduing them and becoming the first monarch of the united Kingdom of Hawaii.

The Pu'ukohola Heiau.

THE SITE:

               Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site is located on the island of Hawaii, better known as the Big Island, on the northwest coast near the town of Waikoloa.  The site consists of a small area around what is called the Hill of the Whale, on which two Heiau, the Hawaiian word for temple, are built overlooking a small bay.  The larger Heiau is the eponymous Pu’ukohola Heiau, while the second, Mailekini Heiau, is located directly in front of and below Pu’ukohola Heiau.  A third temple, Hale o Kapuni Heiau, lies just off-shore underwater.  When originally constructed, the three Heiau would have been crowned with wooden structures but today only the stone bases remain.  Also on the property is the ruins of the house of John Young, a British sailor marooned on Hawaii who became a military advisor and weapons buyer for Kamehameha.

               The visitor center is a partially open-air structure near the two remaining Heiau housing a gift shop and showing several short films on the history of the site and the life of Kamehameha.  In addition the site is the terminus of the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, which runs along the west coast of Hawaii and connects with two other NPS units on the Big Island, Kaloko Honokohau National Historical Park, and Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park.

The small bay below Pu'ukohola Heiau taken from the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail..  A third Heiau at the site lies underwater.

TRAVEL TIPS:

               Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site is open year-round from 8am to 4:45pm.  The site is roughly a little under an hour’s drive from Kailua Kona on Hawaii’s west coast.  Native Hawaiian cultural events are held in the summer while in the winter the aptly named Hill of the Whale is used for whale watching events.  On a clear day the island of Maui can also been seen from the site.  The site is handicapped accessible and passport stamps can be found at the visitor center.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:

Mailekini Heiau.  This temple was transformed into a fort by Kamehameha and armed with cannon.

The area at the shoreline below the two Heiau, seen here, was once a royal courtyard.

A second view of Pu'ukohola Heiau.