Photo: Herb Kane
How many places in America can you walk in the footsteps of a king?
Weather now71°F Patchy rain nearby
Where else has a stranded sailor risen up to become a great chief over an entire island? Where else can you experience the culminating event of a people, foretold from centuries past?
Where else can you stand on a beach and watch as sharks pass over a submerged temple? Experience all this and much more – only at Pu'ukoholā Heiau!
Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site will be closed all day on October 10 due to the Ironman World Championship. Please plan your visit accordingly.
Phone service at Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site is currently unavailable. If you need to contact the park, please email us at puhe_info@nps.gov and a staff member will respond as soon as possible. We appreciate your patience while service is being restored.
As of November 13, 2025, the new hours of operation at Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site are 8:30am –4:30pm. The parking lot gate will close at 4:00pm.
2 experiences from the National Park Service, plus every activity offered in the park. Check details on NPS.gov before you go.
The park is open year round, we welcome all fur friends who would like to be apart of our National Park Service family. No matter what the weather may be here in Hawai'i, our fur friends love a walk…
Learn more about Become a B.A.R.K. Ranger at Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
Sharks, Whales and Dolphins are often visitors to the shores of the park and can be seen with the naked eye and, even better, with binoculars.
Learn more about Sharks, Whales and Dolphin Viewing on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)Showing 2 of 2
Pick one to find other parks that offer it.
Find visitor services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.
Facility
Our Visitor Center is ADA accessible and offers wall exhibits with both English and Hawaiian Language interpretive information in our open lanai area. We also offer a…
Kawaihae, HI Directions
Daily, 8:30AM - 4:30PM · Entrance & Exit
Covered, open air lanai at visitor center open 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM daily. Parking Lot Entrance (Top) Gate will be closed by 4:00 PM Daily, however the Parking Lot Exit (Bottom) Gate will close at 4:30 PM Daily. All vehicles parked in the visitor center parking lot after closing hours will be locked in or towed at owner's expense. In case of Emergency call 911
| Monday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
| Wednesday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
| Thursday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
| Friday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
| Saturday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
| Sunday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
Pu'ukohola Heiau NHS is open during regular operational hours. Covered, open air portions at visitor center opens 8:30am-4:30pm daily. Parking stalls are available and accessible.
| Monday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
| Wednesday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
| Thursday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
| Friday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
| Saturday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
| Sunday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
No entrance fees listed.
73° 66°
74° 65°
74° 63°
Updated 24 min ago
The weather in the park is typically hot and sunny with daytime temperatures in the upper 80's. An excellent time to experience the park is in the morning and in the late afternoon when the temperatures are a bit cooler. The park is open daily from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. However, the park and or trail does occasionally close because of high winds or dangerous storm conditions. Please check with the visitor center or your hotel for any weather advisories or hazardous conditions on the day of your visit.
Hawaiian cultural practitioner Pomai Brown brings the art of crafting Hulu Aliʻi (Chiefly Featherwork) to life. These feathered capes and cloaks once worn exclusively by our aliʻi (nobility). Made of ōlona fiber netting and tens of thousands of bird feathers, 'ahu 'ula were used for spiritual and physical protection of the wearer during battle and ceremony. The woven caps, adorned with 'Haka' (crown embellishments), are showcased in museums worldwide, featuring thousands of red, yellow, and black feathers, with unique designs noting the wearer's geneology and rank. Each bundle are tied with care and carrying the mana of the birds that provided them. No two 'ahu 'ula were identical, through many contain similar patters, noting familial relations between the wearers.
This demonstration offers a meaningful connection to our kūpuna and the rich history of this sacred place. Please join Pomai Brown every Wednesdays at the visitor center from 10:00am-1:00pm in learning an Hawaiian craft. For more information, contact park staff at 808-882-7218 X1011 or visit the parks social media pages @puukoholaheiaunhs. Hope to see you there!
From Keahole (Kona) International Airport: Head east on Keahole Airport Rd. Turn left at traffic light onto HI-19.
Follow HI-19 to Spencer Beach Park Rd. (26.1 mi) Turn left onto HI-270 (0.4 mi) Turn left onto Spencer Beach Park Rd. (0.3 mi) Destination will be second right on Spencer Beach Park Rd. (Approximately 32 minute drive 27.5 mi)
Mailing address: Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site, Kawaihae, HI 96743
Ask about trails, fees, weather, events, or planning your visit.
AI answers can be wrong. Check official NPS info before you go.
