Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site


How many places in America can you walk in the footsteps of a king? Where else has a stranded sailor risen up to become a great chief over an entire island? Where else can you experience the culminating event of a people, foretold from centuries past? Where else can you stand on a beach and watch as sharks pass over a submerged temple? Experience all this and much more – only at Pu'ukoholā Heiau!

From Keahole (Kona) International Airport: Head east on Keahole Airport Rd. Turn left at traffic light onto HI-19. Follow HI-19 to Spencer Beach Park Rd. (26.1 mi) Turn left onto HI-270 (0.4 mi) Turn left onto Spencer Beach Park Rd. (0.3 mi) Destination will be second right on Spencer Beach Park Rd. (Approximately 32 minute drive 27.5 mi)

  • Arts and Culture
  • Craft Demonstrations
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Guided Tours
  • Self-Guided Tours - Walking
  • Hiking
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Wildlife Watching
  • Park Film
  • Museum Exhibits
  • Shopping
  • Bookstore and Park Store

  • Archeology
  • Ruins
  • Arts
  • Birthplace
  • Forts
  • Pacific Islander Heritage
  • Religion and Spirituality
  • Heiau
  • Schools and Education
  • Transportation
  • Roads, Routes and Highways
  • Wars and Conflicts
  • Animals
  • Birds
  • Fish
  • Tortoises and Turtles
  • Climate Change
  • Night Sky
  • Astronomy
  • Oceans
  • Whales
  • Trails
  • Watersheds

Pu'ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site Banner

A Lele (offering tower) set below Pu'ukoholā Heiau NHS

Pu'ukoholā Heiau on a clear hot and sunny day in the district of Kawaihae.

Sunrise

Sunrise over Pu'ukoholā Heiau in mid September.

Sunrise with a bright orange red glow rising above Pu'ukoholā Heiau.

War God Kū and His Warriors

War god Kū and His Warriors

Warriors dressed in traditional attire presenting war god Kū on top of Pu'ukoholā Heiau during Ho'oku'ikahi Ceremony.

Ho'oku'ikahi Ceremony

Ho'okupu offerings placed on Lele

Ho'okupu offerings placed on top of the lele during Ho'oku'ikahi ceremony.

Trail

Paved half mile loop trail

Paved half mile loop trail (starting from the visitor center) will takes you to the base of Pu'ukoholā Heiau, passing Mailekini Heiau to Pelekane Bay, and right a long the coastal trail back to the visitor center.