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NORTH
The Sites!
Kawaihae Harbor
N Kohala Mountain Rd, Kawaihae
Historically, Kawaihae Harbor is significant because from here King Kamehameha
the Great and his followers set out to conquer other civilizations on the
archipelago. Years later, ships dropped anchor with the first horses and cattle
to set foot on the Big Island. In more recent times, the bay served as the
setting for portions of Kevin Costner's film, "Waterworld."
Visitors
may take in a stunning view of the bay from the Pu'ukohola Heiau National
Historic Site, a structure built in the late 18th century to honor the god of
war, Kuka'ilimoku. In the winter the areas all around the harbor are great
places to watch the Humpback whales. Towering Mauna Kea is visible from the bay on a clear day.
Mauna Kea and the Moon
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Mo'okini Heiau
Hwy 270 near Upolu Airport, Hawi 96720 • 808-974-6200
On
the coast where King Kamehameha the Great was born stands Hawaii's oldest,
largest, and most sacred religious site, which is now a national historical
landmark. Used by kings to pray and offer human sacrifices, this three-story stone temple, erected more than 1500 years ago, stands
as one of the oldest structures in the state of Hawai'i. Built in honor of
Ku,
the Hawai’ian god of war, it served as the setting for myriad rituals and
observances, including human sacrifices and prayer vigils. Mo'okini
Heiau was
erected in A.D. 480; each stone is said to have been passed hand to hand from
Pololu Valley, 14 miles away, by 18,000 men. As expected, the temple is steeped in legend. Many
stories feature the great
Kamehameha I, who was born near this site, under Haley's Comet, in the 1750s.
Kamehameha sought spiritual guidance here before setting out on his quest to
unite the islands.
The
road to the temple is rough, so hiking from Highway 270 or driving in a Big
Island Exotic Cars' Hummer is suggested. Go in the late afternoon when the
setting sun strikes the lava-rock walls and creates a primal mood. The temple is
now part of the Kohala Historical Sites State Monument.
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Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site
Hwy.
270, near Kawaihae Harbor Phone: 808/882-7218 . Fax: Fax 808/882-1215
This seacoast temple, called "the hill of the whale," is the single
most imposing and dramatic structure of the ancient Hawaiians. It was built by
Kamehameha I in 1790-91. The temple stands 224 feet long by 100 feet wide, with
three narrow terraces on the seaside and an amphitheater to view canoes.
Kamehameha built this temple of sacrifice with mortar-less stone after a prophet
told him he would conquer and unite the islands if he did so; 4 years later, he
fulfilled his kingly goal. The site also includes the house of John Young, a
trusted advisor of Kamehameha, and, offshore, the submerged ruins of Hale O Ka
Puni, a shrine dedicated to the shark gods.
Open:
Daily 7:30am-4pm. $1 admission. The visitor center is on Hwy. 270, and the heiau
is a short walk away; the trail may be closed if it's too windy, so call ahead if
you're in doubt.
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