Places

For over one hundred years Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park has offered its visitors a window into the past through the many and varied cultural sites contained within its boundaries. Established as Hawaii National Park in 1916, the landscape of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes has been shaped by the people who have been a part of its history. Over five centuries before the establishment of the park, Native Hawaiians lived, worked and worshipped on this sacred ground. Later, in the 19th and early 20th centuries, adventurers, scientists, philanthropists, and every day individuals also left their mark on the landscape.

A stone altar surrounded by hardened lava flows.

Pahu Manamana o ʻUmi

A significant archeological site on the southwest slopes of Mauna Loa volcano.

Kahuku-Pōhue

The 16,451-acre parcel is now part of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and protects native plants and animals, and cultural sites.

The Great Crack and Ala Waiʻi

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park's remote parcels showcase distinct geology, lava rock formations, archeological sites, and more.

A traditional hawaiian house with a thatched roof

Kaʻauea

A storied portion of the Kīlauea summit, currently home to a traditional hale and a hula platform

A petroglyph of a circular shape in gray rock

Puʻuloa

A sacred place and one of the largest petroglyph fields in Hawaiʻi

Two people walking on a trail through a lava field

The Footprints Area

Along an ancient travel corridor, footprints left by Native Hawaiians long ago

Aerial view of archeological ruins next to a lavafield

Wahaʻula Heiau

The first temple for human sacrifice in Hawaiʻi, now buried by lava

Ruins of a stone structure in a lava field

Kealakomowaena

An area inhabited by early 15th century Hawaiians through the 1800's

Pulu Factories

Once a thriving industry in Hawaiʻi, there were two pulu factories on Kīlauea

Full moon rising over a mountain ridge and building placed upon a rocky outcropping

Uēkahuna

The celebrated wahi pana (legendary place) atop Kīlauea, experienced by many park visitors to the Jaggar Museum

Trees and ferns in a rolling meadow underneath blue skies

Kahuku

Rich and varied history from the ranching period stretching back to before European contact

A lava field with cliffs in the background

The Ahupuaʻa

The traditional land division in Hawaiʻi

A man with mustache standing behind a counter next to a staircase and asign that says "Ask for Pele"

Volcano House

The iconic Volcano House hotel has existed on the rim of Kīlauea in multiple incarnations for over 150 years

Hawaii Volcanoes Archeological Overview and Assessment and Research Design (pdf - 61.8MB)

Cultural Landscape Inventories

Cultural Landscape Inventories are a comprehensive inventory of all historically significant landscapes within the National Park System. These documents identify each landscape’s location, physical development, significance, National Register of Historic Places eligibility, condition, and other valuable information for park management. Access these formal documents below.