Puukohola National Historic Site

When Kamehameha the Great was a young chief, his kahuna (priest) foretold that if Kamehameha constructed a heiau (temple) on the site, he would unite and rule all the islands as one kingdom. The temple of war was built between 1790-91 and consecrated with the sacrifice of a neighboring chief. In 1810 Kamehameha completed his unification of the Hawaiian Islands.

Puukohola National Historic Site has the largest heiau in Hawaii. A new visitors center features videos, exhibits and a small museum. Although the heiau was damaged during the October 15, 2006 earthquake, it remains intact and a good walking trail leads from the it to the shoreline.

Also along the trail is Mailekini Heiau, built in the 1500s as a navigational temple. Another even older temple lies submerged just offshore in reverence to the shark gods. (808) 882-7218. www.nps.gov/puhe.