Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site
Park Ancient Hawaiian temple site linked to King Kamehameha
On Hawaii’s Kohala coast, Puʻukoholā Heiau is an 18th-century stone temple built by Kamehameha I. Visitors come for the preserved heiau, shoreline views and exhibits about Hawaiian chiefs and traditional religion.
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.
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.
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).
January
January is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 18°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm).
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February
February is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm).
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March
March is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 18°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm).
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April
April is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 19°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm).
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May
May is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 20°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (128 mm).
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June
June is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 20°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm).
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July
July is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 21°C. The driest month with just 14 mm and breezy conditions.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 31°C and lows of 22°C. Significant rainfall (123 mm).
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September
September is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 21°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm).
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October
October is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 21°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm).
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November
November is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 20°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm).
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December
December is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm).
