Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site

An impressive Heiau that my husband & I visited thanks to the recommendation of Luana from Lehua Jewelers in Waimea. We highly recommend watching the 27min epic documentary in the theater section of the visitor's center. It's a compelling story of King Kamehameha's prophecy that provided us a deeper understanding of this sacred temple, its importance to Hawaiians & how it united the islands. Afterwards, we walked up the path to the Heiau to marvel at its ancient, formidable structure up close. It's fascinating that it took a human chain consisting of thousands of workers to construct this building one stone at a time. There's a part of the exhibit where visitors can lift massive stones the same size that these workers passed along to each other, creating an immersive experience. We also felt the weight of various spears that the chiefs carried into battle & played Konane, a game of checkers. There's a bay nearby that we do NOT recommend swimming in. It's a good lesson for tourists to read museum signs because we read that sharks are present in that water. The Heiau was built by a family who revered sharks. We visited an hour before closing & George, the park ranger, welcomed us to the Place of Unity — very symbolic for us newlyweds who just celebrated our union. Overall a great stop to learn Hawai'i's history & culture!

One of the nicest visitor centers I have seen. Extremely informative and interesting Hawaiian history. Short, paved walkway with great views of the fort and bay.

This heiau has a great visitor center built in the same style, which features a movie about the area and a gift shop. There's also a short paved loop path below the heiau, where you can see it from different angles and learn some interesting details. There's also a picturesque beach nearby adorned by palm trees.

Probably the most interesting National Historic Site we visited on Hawai'i. We started at the visitor center and watched a very interesting and well-made documentary about King Kamehamea I. This State Park is a must-see when visiting Big Island.

Great park to learn area history. No access to the main fort. Probably best to visit in the morning since it can get pretty hot in the afternoon. The gift shop was really good. A great selection of books on history and a good selection of t-shirts.

We visited this historic site because my kids love collecting stamps for their NPS passport. This place is actually a sacred temple built by King Kamehameha of Hawaii. He believed that building this temple would help him unite all the Hawaiian islands. The temple is made up of many stones arranged in a precise formation, without any mortar holding them together. The setting is beautiful, right by the coast with the wind blowing in. You can see people talking to the ranger and watching a video about the history of the place. There’s a small paved path, about half a mile long, that takes you down to sea level and back up. The whole area is very scenic. From the temple, you can see the sea and, if you're lucky, some whales. We spent about an hour here on a lovely afternoon and enjoyed it very much. I highly recommend visiting this place.

Lots of historical information on this stop. You can go on a short hike to see all of the relics and small settlement by the water. We enjoyed the brief hike to break up the day. Lots of good information and you are able to play the commentary on your phone so you can listen to what you are looking at.

It's hot in the afternoon, and there's not a ton of shade. The audio tour is great. It'd be nice if it was a little easier to know where you're supposed to be on the tour with the audio. The video in the visitors center is great. The staff was very pleasant. Definitely worth it. It's quick and well done.

The lady in the shop was kind to speak to when we stopped by. The exhibit is easy to follow and they had a tv outside playing the history of the site. I appreciated the homage the history and culture of the indigenous Hawaiians.

This is a great spot to learn about Hawaiian history, especially about Kamehameha. Exhibits are mostly outdoors under a covered area, but also inside the small visitors center. There's a restroom, too. The temple is a very short walk from the parking area and within site of the visitors center. This park is free to visit and park inside of.

Great stop! I was n the area visiting national parks and I wanted to stop here. Such a great time visiting the national park Rangers were amazing, and really really loved their enthusiasm for the site . Stop and listen and learn the importance of the people in the area and the site and how important it is to Hawaii

No better place to learn about the culture than to go to the national parks and historic sites. Talk to the employees and read the signs. Walk the trails that surround the area the ancestors walked among. Chris was very informative and helpful and very friendly in the museum. So much history and stuff to see. Stop by and look around if you want a better understanding of the Hawaiian culture. Small but very very much worth the stop.

Great spot to stop by while visiting the Big Island! There was ample parking. This spot had clean restrooms! It was really easy to get to via Google maps and we really enjoyed our time here. I'd suggest you pop by if you have some time and are on this side of the island!!!

Unity ... and the peace it brought ... when Kamehameha I began unification of the Hawaiian nation are memorialized at the majestic Pu'ukohola Heiau along the Kohala Coast. These days, this historic and partially-restored site is maintained by the National Park Service; however, the large stone temple was actually constructed in 1790-1791 before "western" contact. Entrance is free. When we arrived in the late afternoon, there was not one other visitor or employee to be found. The quiet and calm added to the reverence deserving of such an influential monument; however, it was surprising no park rangers were around to aid in preservation or information ... although the visitor center does have a helpful museum and video display. Bonus: the free restrooms were clean. The site is open every day (including holidays) from 8:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. Note that the entrance gate actually closes at 4:30 and ALL vehicles have to exit the parking lot by 5:00. Paved and gravel trails provide easy access to view the last major temple built in Hawai'i although visitors are not permitted to enter it. An older temple (Mailekini Heaiu) is nearby and was used as a "fort" after non-Hawaiians arrived. Try not to miss the fully-submerged Pohakū leaning stone at Hale ō KapuniHale ō Kapuni offshore in Pelekāne Bay. Near the bay, you'll also discover the Pelekāne ruins which were a royal courtyard for Kamehameha II. Pu'ukohola is often translated as "hill of the whale" because for hundreds of years (including modern times) it has been a scenic spot to look for humpback whales off the coast during parts of winter and spring. It's kind of cool to think we are walking on the same ground as great kings and enjoying similar viewpoints. The lack of service or protection from NPS is really the only reason this national historic site earns just 4 stars. Otherwise, Pu'ukohola Heiau is a 5-star historic Big Island Hawaiian treasure.

It was cool to come to this National Park on the Big Island that I didn't know about. My friends and I came back from Kapaau, decided to be active, and walk off lunch. Pu'ukohola Heiau National Park is a protected area administered by the United States National Park Service. It was here that King Kamehameha I United the last of the warring islands to complete Hawaii as a single sovereign royalty entity. The Heiau, or temple, was created to consolidate his power and to remind all who opposed him. The remnants of the Heiau still stand to this day, but the National Park Service always reminds visitors to not touch anything, as they're preserving it for future generations. With that said, we did not have to pay admission fee to get in. It was awesome! We just pulled into the parking lot and began our walk around the National Park. It must've been about a mile or so around. Since we did a good loop around. There was a small hill with a locked gate, which we couldn't access. Along the path, there was informational panels that explains what historically happened on the Heiau, the significance, and the cultural impact of it in the history of Hawaii. It's always nice to learn a piece of Hawaii history, especially because I am born and raised in Hawaii. Gives me pride knowing what went on here so long ago, when warring chiefs were battling for control of basically everyone. It's pretty neat to see politics develop and formulate thru war and tribulations. The overall experience here at the National Park Service Pu'ukohola Heiau National park was spiritual, great, casual and educational. It's rare that I come and visit historic landmarks in the state of Hawaii, but when I do, it's a good feeling. It was here that the great King Kamehameha I sought to unify all the warring islands into one single enitity we call Hawaii today. The hiking path around the national park was like a asphalt bike bath. It's generally maintained well by the United States National Park Service. The location is pretty cool, which over looks the ocean. We did not see US National Park Service representatives or park rangers during our stay, although it was a Saturday afternoon when my friends and I were there. The main thing is that no admission or parking fee required. It is like going to a public beach, but it's not like that. Its quite weird for a national park, but then again, we are grateful that there is no admission or parking fees for this place. There is no concession stands in the park or in the area, so best bet would be to come here fed already or bring food. It's a beautiful park and definitely recommend visiting if you are into the history behind how Hawaii came to being. The Pu'ukohola Heiau National Park is located at 62-3601 Kawaihae Road in Kawaihae, on the Big Island of Hawaii. As mentioned before, they don't access parking fees or admission fees. For the most part though, best thing to do is to travel here by car. Not sure if the Hele On Bus system comes thru and stop here or near the monument. There is limited parking here at the National Park, so best bet would be to come while its cooler in tempurature, which is usually early in the morning at dawn or late afternoon before sunset for the best views for the sunrise or sunset. 5.0 stars for the overall experience. Support local! A+

Absolutely beautiful and you could feel the mana here. What I loved about this Heiau was how wonderfully preserved and protected it was. I loved how the lele was adorned with recent hookupu. Aside from that I actually learned some things that I hadn't learned in school and learning is always a blessing. Like most National Parks there is a museum/shop that even my kids enjoyed. The bathrooms there were nice and clean and parking was good and safe.

Pu'ukohola is a wonderful national historical site that has so much sacred and historical significance. This landmark is so well maintained and has signage that explains the significance of the area, the history of the unification of the Hawaiian islands and more. You can walk around and see the beautiful cultural heritage sites. Pro tip, bring a hat and sun screen as there's no coverage but well worth the self guided tour to learn more about this amazing history. Also the bathrooms are immaculate! Also, even though it's a national historic site, I don't believe you have to pay an entrance fee even if you don't have the national park pass! So many wins all in one spot. To learn more, visit the site and dive in!

I am so glad my family stopped in to see this historical spot and temple that is so meaningful to the people of Hawaii. There is a wonderful visitor center and well done and informative movie to watch. Ranger George was amazingly knowledgeable and very informative. You can tell he is engaged and passionate about the history of Hawaii. The spot was a perfect culmination to our Hawaii trip, as it helped inform us a bit about the spirituality and history of the people and monumental spot. Thank you for your extra time, George!

Neat little historical site. Beautiful views. Great interpretative content about Hawaiian history. Very enthusiastic rangers. Nice junior ranger program. Definitely worth checking out.

PLEASE understand Hawaiian myth and history, spiritual beliefs, mores and customs before visiting this place.. or Kapu; stay away. Only by extreme generosity and the spirit of Aloha have the people of Hawaii opened this Haiau to the public . Other than in the gift shop, touch nothing, move nothing, take nothing other than a snapshot.

Fantastic! So much history and the park ranger, George, was so knowledgeable and friendly! It was a great visit!!!! Highly recommend!!!

If you have extra time, this is a neat place to hangout for half an hour or so. Easy walk to check out old stone Heiau ruins and learn from the informational placards showcased. The trail up at the main Heiau is closed to the public due to renovation; however you are able to wander left of that Heiau to see the other crumbled ruins. There honestly isn't too much to really *see*, but I enjoyed the historical learning experience here. The Visitor's Center is chock full of interactive activities and factual stories that will give you deeper insight of how native Hawaiians lived back in the day. The Park Rangers are extremely nice and let me play around with spear replicas they have inside the building. If you're on the hunt to get all 5 Junior Ranger badges available on Big Island, this is one of the places to go.

Fabulous ancient Hawaiian park. Really enjoyed walking the path and reading the information about the history.

This is one of the many heiaus on the island. Though not as popular as some other national historic sites on the island, Pu'ukohola Heiau has free admission, a museum, a gift shop, and restrooms. The museum area has some very interesting information about the Hawaiian kings and political system, and there are some short educational clips as well. Seeing the heiau in person was definitely fascinating. I didn't take any of the tours, but I spent about 25-45min here.

I felt honored to be in this sacred spot. While the appearance may not seem much, do take the 30 minute walking tour, guided through your smart phone. I learned a lot of information about the King, the traditions, the Hawaiian flag, the animals in the area, and the influence of the Europeans and Americans on the island. I stepped into the gift shop and museum and had a wonderful conversation with Leanne and the ranger, George. Both gave excellent suggestions about what to do on the island, and also gave more little historical facts about the site and the harbor next door. Not only does the site have significance to the growth of Hawaii, but also was valuable in the training of war heroes in WW2. Just before I left, Ranger George pointed out a whale breaching in the waters at a distance, a nice addition to the visit! He also suggested I then head to Pololu Valley and see from where the stones came to build the area. To learn more about the beautiful area you are visiting, you should certainly pay a visit to this site.

Our family of five from Texas and Oklahoma visited Oahu and the Big Island for Spring Break! We are avid National Park tourists so the 4 National Park sites on the Big Island were on our to do list while visiting! We learned so much about Hawaiian Culture while visiting the sites!! My favorite at Pu'ukohola Heiau was learning about how they built the temple and how men lined up for 20 miles straight and passed the large, heavy stones down from man to man to be able to build the stone walls and structures. Also, touring the grounds where King Kamehameha and John Young actually walked and worked together to unite the Hawaiian Islands! All the employees were so friendly and answered any questions we had! We received our Junior Ranger Badges at all four parks on the Big Island and completed the Hawaiian Pacific Parks book for prizes for the grandsons!! Our only downfall was we did not have enough time to properly tour and learn all they had to offer at the parks!! I would definitely recommend visiting all of the National Parks on the Big Island as I cannot pick a favorite!!

I knew Kamehameha the great came from the big island, but visiting this site really beougjt it home and made it real for me. His place in history is felt strongly here. Also for.older kamaaina, they have a video loop of old Hawaiian legends and history of the Lonely One, from.the 70s, it was fun to watch a modern piece of history created during the Hawaiian renaissance that gave us Hokulea among other icons. The walking tour of the park is superb. The park office and gift shop isnt as impressive, but it is air conditioned.

Definitely a decent place to visit. Just be aware, the trail is well paved and parking is plentiful so it attracts...LOTS OF TOUR BUSES! Both times I've been here it has been filled with group tours and large families. It's a nice place to walk around and to learn some Hawaiian history on this very sacred site. Plan to spend about an hour or so if you do the full loop. It also leads into Spencer state park if you just want to relax a bit afterwards. After coming here once, I honestly only came back because it was in between Lapakahi state park and the Puako resorts. It was honestly just a means to kill sometime. It'd be worth visiting at least once

This is Heiau is worth a visit. There's not a lot to see in the visitors center, but the the two Heiau are interesting to see in person after learning about their significance. The loop that takes you around the park is paved, but has stairs making it less than ideal for strollers or mobility devices. We saw tons of humpback whale action from the trial. I really wish we'd brought the binoculars!

This is a very unique historic site to visit! It is a stone temple built by the Hawaiians. It reminds me a lot of the stuff the Incas built - only the Incas did better work. The story goes that the temple was built with the stones which were brought up the mountain by a very long line of people who handed the rocks from one person to the next - them placed in position. It took years to build. There is a nice video at the ranger station explaining the site, and there are nice trails that take you around the area. One may look at the ruins and think "Whatever..." - because they are not anything of lasting beauty; but the history behind what you are looking at is significant. There is a political story behind it all that is an archetypal story retold by the Hawaiians on power, cunning and treachery that is as good Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. The building and dedication of temple is one of the key events unified all of the islands under one king. (One very smart king.)

I have been on a quest to visit all national parks and monuments. It is for that reason that, after approximately seven visits to the big Island, I have finally had the pleasure of visiting this sacred site. Had it not been for the fact that this is one of the four national monuments on the big island, I never would have discovered it. My husband and I had a fantastic time meeting the Junior Rangers and the very helpful and informative Ranger "George". Not only did the Ranger George spend time answering our questions about the site, he also was very generous with his time as he gave us other suggestions of places to visit on the island which proved to be very productive. The walking tour itself is very easy, for those of you who cannot do a long hike, it is perfect. The pu'ukohola Heiau was built in 1791. In addition, there are two other Heiau., One of which is now submerged offshore. The entire tour should not take much more than an hour to complete. One bit of advice is to have a hat and bring some water on the walk. It can get pretty hot and humid.

Interesting history of Hawaii. But the reason for this review is a shout out to Ranger George. Made Hawaiian culture come alive for me and my kids. Kudos to George!

I really need to catch up with my reviews! I have been to the Big Island now about 5 times (3 in the last 4 years) and I have been to Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site every single time. This is one of the sites that I highly suggest coming to mostly for the history and the incredible views. It's a little challenging to find when you're looking for the side street off the main highway that takes you here. This is likely one of the least frequented of the national park sites on the island but that is unfortunate. Drive up and park then head into the ranger station where you can see some ancient artifacts, talk to one of the park rangers and then watch a movie about the Native Hawaiians. Then you take a walk down the path towards the beach and then back up the trail where you can see the ocean as far as your eyes can take you. Every so often, you can see a stirring in the water because of the black tip reef sharks that like to come into the bay. Otherwise, the water is murky towards the shore until you head out a bet further. This is a place where you come to learn about the history, admire the beauty and go for a stroll. Don't miss it if you're in the area and remember to bring your national parks passport with you!

If you've never eaten a hamburger, you might be like McDonald's... If you've never drank wine, you might like Franzia... If you've never had chocolate, you might like Hershey... If you've never seen ruins, you might like Pu'ukohola Heiau... The ruins aren't much to see, and are much smaller than you'll expect compared to photos. "Another pile of rocks" as my wife calls it. You probably don't need more than 30 minutes. Don't make this a priority on your vacation, but stop by if its on your way and you got some time to kill.

Stopped in to get some knowledge and learned a lot about the Great Chief Kamehameha I. This will take only 30 minutes but bring water. They have an audio tour you can DL with a QR reader that was informative. Stop in the Gift Shop/ Mini Museum for more artifacts and chatting with the guides. A big mahalo to Ranger George! He was giving some kids some history hints for a workbook and he was gracious to give us the intel on where to get some good eats in the area. Don't forget to get you National Parks Passport stamp!

Incredible to see these historic relics and sites. A relatively easy and short hike through history and amazing things to read about and imagine it like you were there hundreds of years ago. A great connection to the Hawaiian people and their fantastic heritage and history! Don't miss this! And it's free!!

I really love the organization with the national parks and historical sites here. They're very user (and rental car) friendly so incredibly accessible for everyone. Not to mention free! This one I found especially good because there is a freedom to walk around and there never seems to be a large and claustrophobic crowd. Lots of history for you to explore within the visitor's center and the short 0.5 mile trail complete with an audio companion you can download from your internet-accessible phone. Thank you to the extremely friendly park ranger that enlightened us to this while walking around and even offered to take our picture in front of the main structure. Throughout my trip, I was so amazed how friendly everyone is around here and I had not seen ONE rude and unsmiling individual. Even the park rangers were awesome! Anyway, we were here for a good hour exploring and just killing time before our flight back to the mainland. Since it's right next to the water, there's a refreshing sea breeze that cools you off as you learn more about the site and King Kamehameha the Great.

Free parking, free admission, free self-guided tour. Lots of great historical Hawaiian history and video at the visitor center. We walked to the temples and enjoyed the great ocean view near Spencer Beach State Park. I usually don't buy things from gift shops, but the proceeds go back to the national parks. I bought a Hawaiian-English DIctionary. We walked to Spencer Beach afterwards. I wished it was early morning so that I could go snorkeling. It was a nice beach with a good amount of shade and picnic benches. Lots of locals were there having picnics and swimming.

Historical museum closes at 4:45pm so we missed it but you still have access to walk to the Heiau which is over 228 years old and down to the royal area.

Our family had a great time here learning some Hawaii history but Park Ranger Pablo really hit it out of the park with his captivating story telling skills-- we learned so much!

This is a wonderful historic site near Kawaihae. There are many relevant displays and a very knowledgeable staff. I especially enjoyed a treat reserved for Wednesday's. A local, longtime resident named Marty sets up an information table and display of the ancient art of Lauhala. She demonstrates the preparation and weaving of Island plant material that is so strong, it was used to make sails in the past. She is quite pleasant to visit with and, having lived in the area for decades, she is a wealth of information, travel tips, etc. I enjoyed taking the hike to the monument locations, down to the water, and back to the Park building. This is wonderfully accessible, so easy to find, and so much to learn.

Great historical trail and museum for the Heiau. It was a great breezy scenic walk accompanied by a historical film.

A fantastic national historic site to visit! Parking, admission, and sunburn are free of charge! The rangers are incredibly knowledgable and accommodating. You are not allowed to enter the heiau because it is still an active temple, and would also be unsafe. Other than that, the site is fantastic. With the backdrop of the Kohala Mountains, you really feel the influence that Kamehameha had on the land. I recommend going on the quick walking tour by yourself and stopping at some of the sights. If you take your time, the walking tour should take about 45 minutes to 1.25 hours, but if you are in a hurry, it could take maybe 20 minutes as well. There are a lot of great stories here. If you don't want to go on the tour by yourself, join one of the guided tours! The rangers are friendly and I learned a lot about the history of the site. I won't ruin the tour for you. Make sure to bring sunscreen or a hat or you will look like a burned tomato! There are very few shady areas. Bill Tip- If you are looking for sharks, walk from the bottom of the trail back to the visitor center, and look out towards the harbor. The second tree from the shoreline is supposed to attract a few sharks because of the food supply by there. Look for the white tips of their fins. Bill Tip #2: There are actually 3 heiaus on the site. Can you find all 3? :)

This might have been the best surprise of our entire vacation. We stopped in on the anniversary of the death of King Kamehameha. Very sacred space and the added bonus of a free, yes free, turn on the hulled canoes. Our guide was informative and so knowledgeable about voyager canoes, trade winds, sea life, reefs, and the like. We are in awe. This must-visit spot was such a high light for us and I know it is for others as well. Thanks so much!!

An interesting place to pay your respects if you're in the area. Check in at the visitor's center for the historical significance. A spiritual place indeed for many Hawaiians.

The Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site is actually pretty cool. The site is easily accessed with lots of free parking, free admission, and clean bathrooms. I actually learned a lot about King Kamehameha the Great and the Hawaiian flag. Definitely worth the stop as it should only take about 45 minutes to see everything. See my pictures.

A very interesting site and a very nice staff. Ich had a great time there. Greetings from vienna.

Ppl think it's just rocks, yeah from the looks of it on the outside yes, but u may learn something new and interesting regarding the history of Hawaii. If you appreciate history and respect it the same, the stories told about King Kamehameha goes back a long time, and in this regard, this Heiau is a significant part of that. Where the King first ruled, It is an interesting historic site. I love it. I may not be kanaka maoli, but being born and raised in Hawaii gives me appreciation of what came before me. Respect.

Drove to this temple on an off-day after reading about it in one of the many guidebooks we had looked through before our trip. There wasn't really much here for hands-on interaction and the top of the heiau was closed off to tourists (because that area is considered sacred to the Hawaiians). It was really amazing to see how it was put together with all the different sized rocks and the fact that it is even more amazing. There was a festival going on while we were there so I saw a guy pounding taro root to make poi. (See picture above.)

Great history here and sight seeing. Ranger George was awesome! If you have little ones they can do the junior ranger activities and get the special stamps. We spent some time talking to the ranger and he even let us take pics with some props! Thanks Ranger George for making our visir more memorable!

Great historic area. There's not a whole lot to see though. We did a quick loop on the trail and checked out the heiau and the cove where there are a lot of shark sightings. The visitor center is pretty cool.

A beautiful natural state park with lots of history of Hawaii and information. It mixes the modern and historical ways to see the cultural rituals and ways of the island. From actual guides with lots of information and plenty of books, games and items to give you the true Hawaiian lifestyle.

This little site had a small beach where the staff said they had seen sharks, whales and dolphins that morning and the day before. We walked around the beach for about half an hour and didn't see SHIT. You can't go anywhere near the ruins and only one trail was open. The staff was having a very loud discussion about Mordor when we arrived, and that was probably the highlight of the visit. Very hot, but it was the first thing we did in Hawaii so we didn't have any expectations of standards.

Very tranquil here. Not as touristy packed because as others have put it,"it's a pile of rocks". But some times of the year I read you can see shark, humpback whale, and dolphin sightings. Nice historical place if you want to learn a tid bit and appreciate history. Nearby Spencer park - saw people swimming and bbqing there.

You frequently hear about the buildings of the Mayans and Egyptians but Hawaiians? Who would have thought they built big too!! This place is pretty impressive considering it was built by hand. Unfortunately due to religious reasons, you can not go into the building and can only view it from outside. Definitely worth the stop as there is a visitors center with lots of info and the rangers are very helpful.

Amazing history in one spot. This was not on our original plans for the day, but it was a great find. Thankful this place is still here to teach the next generations. The audio tour was informative and it is a place that we still reference even though we are back home in California and left the island 5 months ago. Itwas a pleasure to have been able to have this experience and honored that the natives still have a historical site for their elders and youth.

puukohala heiau national historic site: the wall is pretty large. not much shades.