Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark
U.S. National Historic Site
Location in Hawaii
Location	Hawaii County, Hawaii, USA
Nearest city	Waimea
Area	76.6 acres (31.0 ha)
Architect	Kamehameha I
Architectural style	Ancient Hawaiian
Visitation	134,403 (2012)
Website	Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site
NRHP reference No.	66000105
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	October 15, 1966
Designated NHL	December 29, 1962

Ruins of Mailekini Heiau in foreground

The Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site is a special place in the United States. It is located on the northwest coast of the island of Hawaiʻi. This site protects the remains of the last major ancient Hawaiian temple. It also preserves other important historical places.

Building a Sacred Temple

Kamehameha I took control of western and northern Hawaiʻi island in 1782. For the next eight years, he fought many battles. These battles did not have a clear winner. In 1790, he returned from Maui. His cousin, Keōua Kuahuʻula, who controlled the east side of the island, attacked him. Kamehameha went back to Kawaihae village. He had spent time there before.

A wise priest, named Kapoukahi, gave Kamehameha advice. He suggested building a luakini heiau. This was a special temple for sacrifices. It would help Kamehameha gain favor from the war god Kūkaʻilimoku.

What is Puʻukoholā Heiau?

The temple built was called Puʻukoholā Heiau. This name means "Temple on the Hill of the Whale." It was likely built on the site of an older temple from around 1580. Workers built it entirely by hand. They used no mortar, which is like glue for stones. They finished it in less than a year.

Thousands of people helped build the temple. They formed a human chain about 14 miles long. They passed red stones from Pololū Valley to the east. Kamehameha's brother, Keliʻimaikaʻi, watched over the construction.

New Advisors and Weapons

In 1790, a ship called the Fair American was captured. One crew member, Isaac Davis, survived. He and another British sailor, John Young, became important helpers for King Kamehameha. They taught his army how to use muskets. They also put cannons on double-hulled canoes. John Young even built a house and ranch nearby. This site is now part of the park.

News of Kamehameha's growing power spread to other islands. They joined forces to attack Hawaiʻi from the northeast. But Kamehameha's army was ready. The new cannons were very powerful. The invaders could not win. This battle was called the Battle of Kepuwahaʻulaʻula. It means "red mouthed gun." It happened just north of Waipiʻo Valley.

Uniting the Islands

In the summer of 1791, the huge temple was finished. It measured about 224 feet by 100 feet. Kamehameha invited his cousin Keōua Kuahuʻula to meet. He pretended it was for a peace treaty. It is not fully clear why Keōua agreed to come. Maybe he felt he had no choice. He had lost many warriors in the Battle of Hilo. A volcanic eruption in 1790 also caused great loss.

When Keōua and his group arrived, they were captured. This event helped dedicate the new temple.

Creating a Unified Kingdom

Kamehameha continued his goal to unite all the islands. He conquered Maui in 1794. Then he took Oʻahu in 1795 at the Battle of Nuʻuanu. The last island to join was Kaua'i in 1810. Its king became a partner with Kamehameha I. This made Kamehameha the first king of a unified Hawaiʻi.

The event at Kawaihae was very one-sided. It is sometimes called the "Slaughter at Kawaihae." In 1991, 200 years later, a healing ceremony was held. Descendants of those involved came together.

More Important Visitors

John Young continued to be an important interpreter. He helped Kamehameha talk with many visitors. The British explorer George Vancouver visited in 1793. He was on his Vancouver Expedition. Vancouver left cattle on the island. This started the ranching industry in Hawaiʻi.

Visiting Puʻukoholā Heiau Today

The National Park Service runs a visitor center at the site. A walking trail starts there. It leads to Puʻukoholā Heiau. Visitors are not allowed inside the temple itself. This is because people believe bones are still buried there.

About 170 feet west of Puʻukoholā is the old ruin of Mailekini Heiau. John Young later turned this into a fort. It helped protect the harbor. Just off the coast is Hale o Kapuni. This is an underwater structure built for sharks. A pōhaku (stone post) marks a spot. From here, people could watch sharks being fed. Across the bay, you can see the modern Kawaihae harbor.

The site became a National Historic Landmark on December 29, 1962. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966. In 2000, its name was changed. This was done to use the correct Hawaiian spelling.

Images for kids

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  Puʻukohola Heiau view from the beach

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  Puʻ ukohola Heiau

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  The Hill of the Whale

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  Palms at Puʻukohola Heiau

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  Mailekini Heiau