Pu'ukohola Heiau Walking Tour

The Pu'ukohola Heiau Trail is a paved walking trail that starts at the Visitor Center and circles several cultural sites in the area of the Pu'ukohola Heiau. The trail is paved and allows for easy walking. It passes a tree with a bench, where you get a great view of the Pu'ukohola Heiau and the Lele (offering tower). Follow the trail up to get a closer view of the heiau, but stop at the gate as this is a cultural historic site and should be respected. Once you have enjoyed the view of the heiau, follow the trail downhill past the Mailekini Heiau and to the Stone Leaning Post Overlook. You may be able to catch views of blackfin sharks swimming in the bay. The trail goes down a set of stone steps closer to the coast. You can break off here and follow an unmaintained trail that runs out to the park boundary, or take in the view of the coast. Because sharks are common in the bay, it is not recommended to swim in this bay. Follow the trail as it becomes the Ala Kahakai and snakes its way along the coast. Enjoy views of the ocean and keep an eye out for whales and other sea life, especially if visiting in the months of January through April. The trail approaches the Samuel M. Spencer Park. You can continue on into the park where there are picnic tables, sand beaches, and the opportunity to enjoy the ocean. To get back to the visitor center however, take a left and climb the hill back to the visitor center and parking area.

Pu'ukohola Heiau was built by King Kamehameha in 1790 and 1791 and is one of the last major sacred sites built in Hawaii before outside influences changed life on the islands. The heiau was dedicated to the war god Ku atop of Whale Hill at Kawaihae. The temple was built to fulfill a prophecy that if Kamehameha built this site, he would be the sole ruler of all the Hawaiian Islands. The audio tour does a great job describing the history of the heiau and other culturally important features of the site. Due to its cultural importance, the 34 acres of land that the heiau sits on were donated by the Queen Emma Foundation so that it could be come a national historic site thanks to an act of Congress.