Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site Pictures & Visitor Information - Kawaihae, Kohala Coast, Kona Side, Big Island, Hawaii

Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site - Big Island, Hawaii
Pictures and visitor information from a visit to the Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site in Kawaihae, Big Island, Hawaii.

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Entrance To Historic Site

Information Sign

Educational Pavilion

The Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site is located in Kawaihae along the Kohala Coast on the Kona side of the Big Island of Hawaii.

We visited this educational Hawaiian landmark to absorb some culture after a morning of great snorkeling just a few miles south at nearby Mauna Kea Beach.

This U.S. National Historic Site protects and preserves the ruins of the last significant ancient Hawaiian temple. The temple is named Pu'ukohola Heiau which means "temple on the hill of the whale."

To reach the site using a GPS unit, enter the address 62-3601 Kawaihae Rd, Kawaihae, Hawaii 96743. Or just take Hwy 19 north to Hwy 270 north and look for the park entrance on the left. Admission is free and there is plenty of parking.

Struggle For Power

Pacific Ocean

Humpback Whale Sanctuary

Just past the parking lot at Puukohola Heiau, there is an educational pavilion with exhibits that detail various aspects of Hawaiian history including the struggle for power among the various native American Indian tribes and the foreign influences.

Hawaiian Games

Then further down the path that leads to the temple, you'll find an information sign about the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. The whales can commonly be seen in the waters around Hawaii from December to May. Other animals that frequent the area include Hawaiian Monk Seals, green sea turtles & four other turtle species, spinner dolphins and of course a wide variety of corals and colorful reef fish.

Walking Path

Temple Site

Pu'ukohola Heiau Info Sign

Saffron Finch

One of our favorite parts about visiting Puukohola Heiau was seeing a dozen or so of these bright yellow "saffron finches" hopping around on the rock walls.

Exiting Park

For more of my Hawaiian vacation pictures, click on the following links: Kona Comfort Vacation Rental, A-Bay Beach Snorkeling, Akaka Falls State Park, Coconut Island State Park- Hilo Bay, Green Sand Beach - South Point, Hapuna Beach State Park, Holoholokai Beach Park, Ho'okena Beach Park Snorkeling, Hwy 19 Lava Cave - North Kona, Hwy 19 - Kona, Honokohau Marina - Kailua-Kona, Kahaluu Beach Park, Kona Brewing Co. Brewery Tour, Manini Beach Snorkeling - Napoopoo Park, Kekaha Kai State Park, Mauna Kea Beach Snorkeling, Pua Mau Place Botanical Garden, Pu'uhonua o Honaunau Place of Refuge National Historic Park, Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens, Queen Lili'uokalani Park & Japanese Gardens, Rainbow Falls - Wailuku River State Park, Safari Helicopters Volcanic Activity & Waterfalls Tour, Spencer Beach Park, Two Step Snorkeling - Honaunau Bay,

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