Puʻukoholā Heiau

Pu'ukoholā Heiau is a National Historic Site like no other. Located on the Big Island of Hawaii, it is the only site in America where you can walk in the footsteps of a king. The stranded sailor who rose up to become a great chief over an entire island is just one of the many stories that make Pu'ukoholā Heiau so special. The heiau (temple) was built in the 13th century by King Kamehameha I, who unified the Hawaiian Islands. The site is also significant for its role in the Law of Kapu, which regulated all aspects of Hawaiian life. This law was eventually broken by Queen Lili'uokalani, which led to her overthrow by American forces in 1893. Today, visitors to Pu'ukoholā Heiau can see the temple ruins, as well as the Shark deity Kuʻula-o-milomilo, who is said to protect fishermen and sailors. The site is also a popular spot for watching sharks swim over a submerged temple.