Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic SiteAbout Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site
Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site preserves a large stone temple erected by Kamehameha I on the Kohala coast of Hawaiʻi Island and is a key place in the political unification of the Hawaiian Islands. The site is administered as a U.S. National Historic Site.
The main feature is the monumental lava-rock temple platform that visitors can walk around and view from defined paths. Interpretive panels explain the site’s construction, cultural importance and its place in late 18th-century Hawaiian history.
The heiau was constructed by order of Kamehameha I in the late 18th century as part of his campaign to consolidate power. It has been maintained and interpreted in the 20th and 21st centuries as an important cultural and historic place.
Located on the northwest Kohala coast of Hawaiʻi Island near the village of Kawaihae, the site sits close to the shoreline within a coastal landscape of lava fields and pasture.
- Founding and protection: Built by Kamehameha I in the late 18th century and preserved as a National Historic Site administered by the U.S. National Park Service.
What to See#
- Puʻukoholā heiau: The heiau itself - a large, dry-stone platform and temple complex constructed of local lava rock and still visible as a monumental stone structure.
- Visitor area and paths: A small visitor area and interpretive paths that allow close viewing of the temple and its immediate setting on the Kohala coast.
Nearby Attractions to Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site
Best Time to Visit Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site
Best during Hawaii's dry season (April-October), visiting early in the morning for cooler, drier conditions and fewer people.
Weather & Climate near Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site
Subtropical climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 18°C to 31°C. Moderate rainfall (944 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 18° - 27° | 23° | 102 mm | - | - | 5.1 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 18° - 27° | 23° | 64 mm | - | - | 5.3 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 18° - 28° | 23° | 98 mm | - | - | 5.8 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 19° - 29° | 24° | 91 mm | - | - | 5.8 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 20° - 30° | 25° | 128 mm | - | - | 5.6 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 21° - 30° | 25° | 81 mm | - | - | 5.9 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 21° - 31° | 26° | 14 mm | - | - | 6.0 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 22° - 31° | 26° | 123 mm | - | - | 5.8 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 21° - 31° | 26° | 50 mm | - | - | 5.5 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 21° - 30° | 26° | 78 mm | - | - | 5.5 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 20° - 29° | 25° | 56 mm | - | - | 5.4 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 19° - 28° | 23° | 59 mm | - | - | 5.2 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site
Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site is on the northwest (Kohala) coast of Hawaiʻi Island near Kawaihae. Drive via Akoni Pule Highway (Route 270) from Waimea (Kamuela) or Kawaihae - the site has roadside parking and a short path from the parking area to the heiau. The site is reached by car; the nearest larger towns are Kawaihae and Waimea.
Tips for Visiting Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site
- Plan an early-morning visit for cooler temperatures, softer light for photos, and a quieter experience at the shoreline and heiau complex.
- Treat the site as a sacred place: stick to marked paths, follow interpretive signage, and avoid climbing on the heiau stones - local cultural protocols are actively respected at the site.
- Start at the visitor center to pick up up-to-date guidance from rangers about access, cultural interpretation, and any seasonal closures along the coast.