1. What is a heiau?

A heiau is a Hawaiian pre-Christian place of worship, or shrine. They are usually dedicated to an `akua (god or deity) or even an `aumakua (family guardian). It can be as small as a single pohaku (rock) dedicated to the fish god, or as large as a temple like Pu’ukohola Heiau dedicated to Kuka`ilimoku (god of war).

2. Where did the rocks come from?

Some believe the rocks came from as far away as the Pololu valley in North Kohala and passed along a human chain 20 miles long for stockpiling at Pu’ukohola. It is believed that many of the larger rocks in particular were gathered locally.

3. When and where was Kamehameha the Great born and how long did he live?

He was born in Kokoiki, North Kohala on the island of Hawai`i in about 1758. He died in Kailua-Kona at Kamakahonu (near `Ahuena Heiau behind the King Kamehameha Hotel) in 1819 at an estimated age of 61.

4. Are there structures still on the temple?

No., all that remain are the stone foundation and platforms. The wooden images, wooden altar, and thatched houses that once adorned the temple may have been destroyed when the kapu system was abandoned in 1819, or deteriorated away after two centuries of disuse.

5. What are the circular rock-wall formations located in the park and surrounding areas?

Some of the larger circular rock formations were used for farming likely from the time the temple was constructed (1790’s) or older. The stone walls served as fences or animal ex-closures since the ancient Hawaiian animals were domesticated and allowed to roam free. Some of the smaller rock-wall enclosures were used by ancient Hawaiians as shelters. Some of these features were adaptively reused in the 1940’s by the military as machine gun nests and gun emplacements for 155 howitzers.

6. How tall was Kamehameha the Great?

No one knows for sure, as his remains and burial was traditionally hidden and kept secret. Early foreign visitors say he was a man of great stature. Estimates however is also derived from his all yellow feather cape which is housed in the Bishop Museum on O`ahu. The cape alone stands 55-1/2” tall, and it is tied around the chief’s neck and worn at least a foot off the ground (cape worn to fall around the middle of one’s calf). This would make Kamehameha possibly 6’ 6” to 7’2” tall, depending on his body proportion and how this particular cape was really worn.

7. Who were John Young & Isaac Davis?

John Young was an Englishman (Welsh) who served as a boatswain on the schooner Eleanora which arrived to Hawaii in 1790. He was held captive when coming ashore at Kealakekua Bay. Isaac Davis was an American who came to Hawai`i in 1790 on the ship Fair American. This ship was attacked by some of Kamehameha’s chiefs in response to the `Olowalu massacre which they witnessed on Maui. All were killed except for Isaac Davis, who was spared due to his bravery, determination to survive, and skills displayed during the ship’s takeover. With no way to escape, both Young & Davis eventually befriended Kamehameha the Great and became loyal advisors to the up and rising warrior chief.

8. What was the population of Hawai`i when the temple was being built?

According to early foreign visitors and missionary censuses, in 1779, there were an estimated 100,000 – 150,000 Hawaiians living on Hawai`i island. Throughout the State of Hawaii as we know it today, it was estimated to have 250,000 to 400,000 Hawaiians in 1779 as well.

9. What kind of rainfall do we receive in Kawaihae? Where did they get the water from?

We receive about 6”-10” of rain a year in this part of the island (leeward coast). Hawaiians got their water from coastal springs (during low tides) and from the rivers which were believed to have been perennial in years past, before the sandalwood forests were depleted, and other major changes (cattle ranching, etc.) occurred upland in the watershed.

10. May I enter the temple(s)?

Access to the temple is prohibited except pursuant to the terms and conditions of a special use permit issued by the park Superintendent due to resource protection and visitor safety concerns.