National Historic Landmarks (NHLs) are historic places that hold national significance. The Secretary of the Interior designates these places as exceptional because of their abilities to illustrate US heritage. Today, we have almost 2,600 NHLs in the United States.
Though the National Park Service administers the NHL program on behalf of the nation, most national historic landmarks are not in national parks. They are typically either privately held or managed by state and local entities. When exploring NHLs, pay close attention to whether they are open to the public or not and consult the local organizations to find out more about visiting.
In Hawai'i, many NHLs are sites of great cultural significance. Many are sacred to the Hawaiian people.
If you choose to explore an NHL in person that is open to the public, treat the site with the utmost care and respect. Remember, take only memories and leave only footprints.
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Kaunolu Village Site is located on the Island of Lanai. This ancient fishing community, occupied since at least the 1400s, consisted of a wide variety of religious structures, residences of priests, and isolated petroglyphs.
Russian Fort, located in Fort Elizabeth State Historical Park, in Waimea on the Island of Kauai, was built by the Russian American Company (RAC) in 1817. The purpose of the fort was to establish a foothold for Russia in Hawaii by creating a fueling station in the Pacific Ocean and establishing a stable trading location for the shipping company.
Pi'ilanihale Heiau (also known as Hale O Pi' Ilani Heiau) is located in Kahanu Garden, a National Tropical Botanical Park near the town of Hana on the Island of Maui. The heiau (place of worship) is the largest one on the Island of Maui and is one of the most important archeological sites in the Hawaiian Islands.
The Old Sugar Mill of Koloa, part of the historic Ladd & Company sugar plantation, is located in the town of Koloa, on the Island of Kauai. Sugarcane had been grown in the Hawaiian Islands for hundreds of years, and Captain Cook observed small-plot sugarcane cultivation when he first landed on Kauai in 1778.
Mo'okini Heiau is located in Kohala Historical Sites State Monument near the town of Hawi on the Island of Hawai'i.
Mauna Kea Adz Quarry, a large complex of archeological sites, is located on the south slope of the Mauna Kea volcano in the Mauna Kea Ice Age Natural Area Reserve on the Island of Hawai'i.
'Iolani Palace in downtown Honolulu on the Island of Oahu, Hawai'i is the only royal palace in the United States and is an enduring symbol of Hawaiian independence. It was the official residence and capitol of the last ruling monarchs of the Kingdom of Hawai'i - King Kalakaua and his sister Queen Lili'uokalani. After the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawai'i in 1893, the building was used as the capitol for the various Hawaiian governments.
Lahaina Historic District, located in the town of Lahaina on the Island of Maui, was once the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom. The town was a favorite site of Hawaiian kings and queens, whaling ships, and missionaries. The historic district covers both land and sea and encompasses the entire old town of Lahaina as well as the waters one mile out from the historic section of the town.
The holua slide at Keauhou in Kailua-Kona, on the Island of Hawai'i, is the largest and best preserved slide in the State of Hawaii. He'e holua, "sled surfing, or "land sledding," was a popular sport in Hawaii. A holua slide was made of rocks that were covered in fresh dirt and reeds making a slick, sloping surface which was then lubricated with kukui (candlenut) oil.
Huilua Fishpond, in Kahana Bay on the Island of Oahu, illustrates the unique aquafarming practices of the Hawaiian people. Out of the estimated 97 fishponds once on the coast of Oahu, Huilua is one of only six that still exists.
Last updated: August 19, 2019