You can’t get much closer to Hawaii’s roots than the spot where the kingdom began – Pu’ukohola Heiau – a temple erected by Kamehameha the Great for the god of war, complete with a human sacrifice. History emanates from this spot – pay a visit and you’re sure to feel it!
Today if you visit the site you can tour the remains of John Young’s homestead. Young was a stranded British sailor who, in the 1790s, became the advisor of Kamehameha the Great and assisted him in trade with foreign powers. You can also see Pu’ukohola Heiau and simply enjoy the view. There is no fee to enter the site and for groups of more than 10, guides can be arranged!
Every year in August if you visit Pu’ukohola Heiau you can experience authentic Hawaii even further. That’s because annually the Hawaiian Cultural Festival is held here, just bursting with native customs and traditions through dance, crafts, music and more. Get a feel of traditions through hand-on activities and learn from the locals!
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Things to know:
Region: Hawaii Big Island
Getting there: The park is on the northwestern shore of the Big Island in the district of south Kohala. The access road to the visitor center is located at 62-3601 Kawaihae Road, off of Route 270, one quarter mile (.4km) north of the Highway 19 intersection.
Average rainfall/snowfall: Pu'ukohola Heiau NHS is one of the driest locations in the Hawaiian archipelago, receiving less than ten inches of rainfall annually.
Fun facts: There are two major orders of heiau: the agricultural and economy-related ones and the large sacrificial war temples. Pu’ukohola Heiau is a war temple.
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