Pu'ukohola Heiau
Pu'ukohola Heiau
4.5
7:45 AM - 4:45 PM
Monday
7:45 AM - 4:45 PM
Tuesday
7:45 AM - 4:45 PM
Wednesday
7:45 AM - 4:45 PM
Thursday
7:45 AM - 4:45 PM
Friday
7:45 AM - 4:45 PM
Saturday
7:45 AM - 4:45 PM
Sunday
7:45 AM - 4:45 PM
About
A stone temple built by King Kamehameha in 1719.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
24 within 3 miles
Attractions
18 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
198 reviews
Excellent
109
Very good
67
Average
14
Poor
7
Terrible
1
psudino
Weehawken, NJ4,427 contributions
Mar 2020
Our tour driver told us a legend that is simply incredible regarding the construction of this temple. King Kamehameha's brother, Keliʻimaikaʻi, was charged with bring stones to build this temple from 14 miles away. Because they didn't have ox and carts he gathered thousands or men to stand a few feet from each other who passed the stones by hand one to another. They did this for a year and the result is a temple that King Kamehameha built to appease the gods and bring all of Hawaii under single rule to unify the people.
Written September 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IrvingBrown
Dartmouth, MA122 contributions
Jan 2020
We've been here before, maybe twice, but we learned more this time because they've got a new introductory film, and it's very good. It's "home-team history," of course, arguing that for Kamehameha to wipe out all his opponents was a good thing, and maybe it was. I'm not sure, however, that his opponents would agree. Still, you'll learn a lot by watching the movie, then looking at all the exhibits.
Written February 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dil345
Georgetown, TX989 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We stopped in to see what they called the most famous heiau in Hawaii. There are two videos each about 25 minutes. We watched the one regarding the park and it was quite informative. There is a nice walk you can take but the trail to the top was closed. The history of the area and King Kamehameha is quite interesting. I would recommend going here especially if you want some history of Hawaii and how the island became united.
Written February 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cecilyJ
Farmington, UT194 contributions
Dec 2019
Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site is a very interesting place to visit. We really enjoyed the history we learned here and the stories about the building of the temple. Men lined up for miles hand passing volcanic rocks to this site. It's amazing that the temple still stands. Beautiful.
Written January 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wood77
Los Angeles, CA3,285 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
Pu’ukohola Heiau was built during the reign of Kamehameha I. The prophet Kapoukahi told his aunt that if he built a large heiau (temple) dedicated to the war god Kuka’ilimoku, he would conquer all the Hawaiian Islands. The volcanic stones were brought in from 20 miles away via a human chain. Thousands of men worked on it for over a year to build the structure that measures 224 by 100 feet with 16-20 foot high walls. At the visitor center, a short film is continuously running providing insight and significance of this National Historic Site of Hawaii. There is a visitor museum / gift shop. Clean washrooms and plenty of parking. Takes approximately 1-2 hours to walk the trails.
Written June 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mauro1990
Santa Rosa, CA960 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
As mentioned in my previous reviews of Hawaii’s National Parks, this park is another breathtaking site to see. So much history is here. This is truly the Temple on the Hill of the Whale! Walking around this park you can see what remains of the structures that were built by the people of Kamehameha. It is really inspiring to see what the early Hawaiians had to do to protect themselves and live a descent life.
When you first enter the park, it’s a good suggestion to watch the automated video. This will give you an insight of what the park entails.
When you first enter the park, it’s a good suggestion to watch the automated video. This will give you an insight of what the park entails.
Written June 9, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LivinglifeinPA
Allentown, PA893 contributions
Jun 2023
Built by Kamehameha in the late 1700's, this temple is one of the last major ones built in Hawaii before outside influences created a permanent change in traditional Hawaiian life.
There are remnants of temple that are still visible.....and a walking trail that can be accessed while listening to a taped history of the area by downloading it to your phone.
Be sure to first listen to the videos that are located just beyond the gift shop as they will provide much background information before you begin the walking trail.
This National Historic Site is a part of the National Park System.....very well-maintained with an on-site park ranger who can answer any questions you might have.
This was one of our favorite stops on the Big Island.
There are remnants of temple that are still visible.....and a walking trail that can be accessed while listening to a taped history of the area by downloading it to your phone.
Be sure to first listen to the videos that are located just beyond the gift shop as they will provide much background information before you begin the walking trail.
This National Historic Site is a part of the National Park System.....very well-maintained with an on-site park ranger who can answer any questions you might have.
This was one of our favorite stops on the Big Island.
Written June 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Allison H
43 contributions
Jan 2023
Small visitors center with an outdoor spot for viewing an informative movie that's about 25 or so minutes long. Definitely recommend watching the movie to get a better understanding of the significance of the park. There are public restrooms outside and a few trails around the park.
Written February 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
atlas993
Elk Grove, CA551 contributions
Oct 2021 • Family
The staff at this historic site were the best rangers we interacted with on our vacation and we visited 3 National Parks on this trip. They were very informative and nice to our kids who were doing the Junior Ranger program. It is a small historic site, but it was packed with information and really interesting history. If you are nearby and have an hour, I would highly recommend you visit this historic site.
Written January 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ann C
Nashville, TN3,329 contributions
Feb 2020
...is the translation to this parks name.
Be sure to watch at least one of the 2 videos provided at the visitors center.
Entrance is free.
What appears to be the best part of the park, the stone Puukohola Heiau, the public is not allowed to enter.
Restrooms are currently closed due to fire damage, there are portable units available in the parking lot.
Be sure to watch at least one of the 2 videos provided at the visitors center.
Entrance is free.
What appears to be the best part of the park, the stone Puukohola Heiau, the public is not allowed to enter.
Restrooms are currently closed due to fire damage, there are portable units available in the parking lot.
Written February 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Showing results 1-1 of 1
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing