Last updated: June 26, 2025
"Endless is the good that I have given you to enjoy." – Kamehameha I
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!
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- Duration:
- 5 minutes, 31 seconds
During the late 1700's, the island of Hawai'i was in a midst of a bloody civil war. "The Foundation of a Nation" tells the epic story of two great warrior chiefs - Kamehameha and his first cousin, Keoua Ku'ahu'ula. When their entangled destinies and fates are forever memorialized at Pu'ukohola Heiau, a nation is born. For Hawaiians today, Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site continues to be a symbol of unification and lasting peace.
Learn more!
Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site is open all year round and shares the history of the beginning stages of the Hawaiian Kingdom.
Plan Your Visit
Learn about our operating hours, permits and reservations, things to do, and more.
Get Involved
Interested in getting involved? Find information about volunteering, youth opportunities, and our Park Store.
History & Culture
Discover the historic people and places that helped build the Hawaiʻi we know today.
Kids & Youth
We also offer fun learning opportunities for kids and (and kūpuna) of all ages.
Places
Learn more about the wahi pana you'll encounter at Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site.