Your Journey to the Past
A Practical Guide to Visiting Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site
Written by a Local Cultural Expert
Leilani AkoVisiting Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site
A visit to Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site is a journey into the very heart of Hawaiian history. To make the most of your experience, here is some practical advice.
Location and Hours
The park is located on the Kohala Coast, about one mile south of Kawaihae Harbor off State Route 270. It is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., and the exit gate closes promptly at 5:00 p.m. There is no entrance fee, though donations to support the park are gratefully accepted.
Essential Information
- Address: 62-3601 Kawaihae Rd, Kamuela, HI 96743
- Hours: Daily 8:00 AM - 4:45 PM
- Admission: Free (donations accepted)
- Phone: (808) 882-7218
Visit Duration
- Quick Visit: 45 minutes - 1 hour
- Standard Visit: 1.5 - 2 hours
- Extended Visit: 2+ hours (with audio tour)
- Festival Days: Full day experience
Getting Started: The Visitor Center
Your first stop should be the visitor center. The exhibits provide excellent context, and the short film about the history of the heiau is powerful and essential viewing. From there, a paved half-mile loop trail takes you through the grounds, a walk of about 20-30 minutes. For an even richer experience, download the free NPS app and listen to the audio tour as you walk.
It is crucial to remember that the heiau itself is kapu and extremely fragile.
For reasons of preservation and out of respect for its sacredness, visitors are not allowed to walk on or enter the temple structures. You must stay on the designated trail at all times.
What to See and Do
Visitor Center (Park Entrance)
Start here. Watch the excellent video to understand the story. Exhibits provide crucial context. Talk to the park rangers—their moʻolelo (stories) and knowledge are incredible and they share it generously.
Puʻukoholā Heiau (Upper Trail)
The main temple of unification. Cannot be entered. View from the trail below. Visit in the early morning for the best light and a profound sense of quiet. Feel the mana.
Mailekini Heiau (Lower Trail)
The older temple/fort. View from the trail. Imagine the cannons mounted here, a stark contrast to the ancient stones. It's a symbol of a world in transition.
John Young Homestead (Across the highway)
Ruins of the first Western-style house in Hawaiʻi. This small site is a powerful symbol of the massive cultural changes that swept the islands. Don't skip it.
Hale o Kapuni View (Coastal Trail)
View of the bay where the shark heiau is submerged. Look for the dorsal fins of reef sharks that still patrol these waters. The descendants of the gods are still here.
Whale Watching (Coastal Trail)
Best during winter months (December-March). Bring binoculars! The name "Hill of the Whale" is no exaggeration. Their presence connects you to the site's ancient name.
📖 Chapter Navigation
Chapter 1: A Kingdom Foretold
Prophecy & temple construction
Chapter 2: The Sacred GroundsTemple construction & sacrifice
Chapter 3: ʻOlohana's LegacyJohn Young & modern times
Chapter 4: Visiting Guide
Current chapter
🌅 Best Times to Visit
- Early Morning: Best light, cooler temperatures, fewer crowds
- Winter (Dec-Mar): Whale watching season
- August: Hoʻokuʻikahi Cultural Festival
- Weekdays: Less crowded than weekends
🎒 What to Bring
- Sun hat & sunscreen (strong UV)
- Water bottle (stay hydrated)
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Camera or smartphone
- Binoculars (for whale watching)
♿ Accessibility
- Trail: Paved, mostly flat with some inclines
- Parking: Accessible parking available
- Restrooms: ADA compliant facilities
- Visitor Center: Fully accessible
📸 Photography Tips
- Golden Hour: Best lighting 30 min before sunset
- Respectful Distance: Stay on trails, no climbing on heiau
- Wide Angle: Capture the temple's massive scale
- Ocean Views: Include the channel for whale context
Beyond the Heiau: Adventure and History on Oʻahu
The spirit of Hawaiʻi, with its blend of profound history and thrilling adventure, can be explored across the islands. For many visitors based on Oʻahu, the stories that begin at Puʻukoholā find echoes in other powerful sites.
For the Adventurous Spirit
If the story of Kamehameha's warriors inspires your own adventurous spirit, a visit to Coral Crater Adventure Park offers a modern-day adrenaline rush. Located in Kapolei, it is the closest adventure park to the resorts of Waikiki.
- • 6-line zipline course
- • ATV terrain navigation
- • 18-element Adventure Tower
- • 50-foot free fall plunge
For the History Buff
The story of the Hawaiian Kingdom, born at Puʻukoholā, is a long and complex one. A visit to the Pearl Harbor National Memorial offers a look at another pivotal moment in Hawaiian history.
- • USS Arizona Memorial
- • USS Missouri Battleship
- • USS Bowfin Submarine
- • Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
Standing at the USS Arizona Memorial provides a solemn, powerful bookend to the story of the kingdom.
It reminds us of the many layers of history that make these islands what they are today. One that once again brought the islands to the center of the world stage through conflict.
Final Thoughts
Puʻukoholā Heiau stands as more than stone and history. It is a place where the past speaks to the present, where the ancient rhythms of the sea meet the enduring strength of the Hawaiian people. When you visit, you are not just seeing a monument. You are experiencing the birthplace of a nation, the sacred ground where prophecy became reality.
The whales still breach in the channel below. The trade winds still carry the scent of salt and pili grass. And the mana of this place still flows, connecting us to the courage, vision, and sacrifice of those who came before. This is Puʻukoholā—the Hill of the Whale—where the kingdom of Hawaiʻi was born, and where its spirit lives on.
