The Big Island of Hawaii is the site of many of the most revered and sacred locations in all of the Hawaiian Islands. This is where King Kamehameha I was born, and there are many heiau, or Hawaiian sacred places, all around the island.
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Puuhonua o Honaunau National HIstorical Park
Located just south of Kona on the Big Island and encompasses 180 acres that was an important Hawaiian heiau (sacred place) in ancient times. A puuhonua served as a place where people could seek refuge. The historical park now features reconstructed royal temples, Hawaiian fishponds, and a huge rock structure now known at the Great Wall. This 17-foot-thick wall is about ten feet tall and is an integral part of the heiau.
Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park
Another notable spot in this area is the site of the death of the explorer Captain Cook, the first Westerner to reach the Hawaiian Islands. A white obelisk along the shoreline memorializes Cook’s death, and the area is designated as Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park.
Stay nearby, please consider our Captain Cook vacation rentals.
To the north along the Kohala Coast of the Big Island is the Puako Petroglyph Archaeological Preserve where many images were carved into the lava rocks in ancient times and are still visible today. The site includes more than one thousand petroglyphs. Seeing these historic etchings is a wonderful experience that helps people explore the mysteries of ancient Hawaiian culture first hand.
Mookini Heiau State Monument
Near the site of King Kamehameha’s birthplace in North Kohala is Mookini Heiau State Monument. This heiau was once the site of human sacrifices that were performed to honor the gods. Nearby a stone wall marks the place where the ruler was born who would later unite all of the Hawaiian Islands. A sign at the site reads “Kamehameha Akahi Aina Hanau.”
Not far from Mookini Heiau is the town of Kapaau where the original Statue of King Kamehameha stands. The great warrior of Hawaii lived in the steep-walled valley of Waipio nearby, which was known as the valley of the kings.
Mookini was built under the direction of King Kamehameha I to honor his war god Ku, and to help Kamehameha in his attempt to conquer all of the Hawaiian Islands.
Kona Town
Along Alii Drive in the heart of Kona town are two very historic locations, Hulihee Palace built in 1838 and home to King Kalakaua and Queen Kapiolani, and Mokuaikaua Church, Hawaii’s oldest Christian church having been built in 1820.
Enjoy these historic locations from one of our Kona condos
Nearby is Ahuena Heiau, a sacred place (and now a National Historic Landmark) that was reconstructed by King Kamehameha I. The ruler, who passed away in 1819, spent the last years of his life in this area and his home was nearby.
Keauhou historic area
Just south of Kona Town, the Keauhou historic area was home to Hawaiian royalty in ancient times and today you can see restored heiaus and fishponds in this important cultural location amidst the Keauhou resorts.
Located along the shores of scenic Kahaluu Bay, the Keauhou historic area features interpretive centers throughout the resort which provide information about the importance of the location to the ancient Hawaiians.