Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site
Protected park · HI, USA
Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site in HI, USA.
Quick answers
When is Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site open?
- Mon–Sun 8:30–16:30
About
Entrance / day-use fee applies.
How many places in America can you walk in the footsteps of a king? 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!
This park's official page lists: Store / concessions, Visitor center.
When is the best time to visit Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site?
By typical weather, the best months for a day outdoors here are June, July, and September.
The warmest month is August, with average highs near 77°F (25°C); the coolest is February, near 71°F (22°C).
March is the wettest month, with about 7.5 in (191 mm) of precipitation in a typical March.
Official facts
The Forest Service rates the wildfire hazard potential at Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site's mapped point low (2023 map); the map describes the land rather than any day's fire danger.
Adjacent protected waters: Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. National Marine Sanctuary, Uniform Multiple Use, 3,537 km².
Protected waters: 0.35 km². None of it is no-take.
Fishing: Commercial and Recreational Fishing Restricted.
Conservation focus: Natural Heritage and Cultural Heritage. Protects the whole ecosystem. Site-Specific Management Plan.
IUCN category: V (Protected landscape or seascape).
Protection level: Uniform Multiple Use.
Marine protection: National Historic Site. Listed as "Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site" in NOAA's Marine Protected Areas Inventory, managed by National Park Service, established 1972.
Public access: Restricted access.
Protected area: 62 acres (25 ha).
Designation: National Historic Site. Listed as "Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site" in the Protected Areas Database of the United States. Protection: managed for biodiversity (GAP 2). IUCN category III.
Established: 1972.
Managed by: NPS.
At the park
- Beaches
- Caves & caverns
Shows and experiences
- Historic sites & museum
Events
- Cultural Demonstration - Hulu Ali'i (Chiefly Featherwork)
Before you go
- Limits
- Yes, service dogs are legally permitted anywhere in a park that visitors can go
- Getting 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)
- Weather & when to go
- 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.
History
- Opened
- 1966
- Heritage status
- Listed heritage / protected status
- Operated by
- National Park Service
- Heritage designation
- National Historic Landmark (from 1962); National Register of Historic Places listed place (from 1966)
- Designated National Historic Landmark — 1962-12-29
- Park opened
- Designated National Register of Historic Places listed place — 1966-10-15