Theodore Roosevelt Presidential LibraryPublic Lands Directory

Alerts and conditions

Information New Park Hours

As of November 13, 2025, the new hours of operation at Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site are 8:30am –4:30pm. The parking lot gate will close at 4:00pm.

Overview

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!

From the National Park Service

History

The designation history for this site (every law, proclamation and order, and the administration behind each) is being researched and checked by the Library’s historians.

What to see and do

Activities

  • Arts and Culture
  • Craft Demonstrations
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Guided Tours
  • Self-Guided Tours - Walking
  • Hiking
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Wildlife Watching
  • Park Film
  • Museum Exhibits
  • Shopping
  • Bookstore and Park Store

Browse hiking, biking and paddling routes on AllTrails

Plan your visit

Hours

Entrance & Exit: Covered, open air lanai at visitor center open 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM daily. Parking Lot Entrance (Top) Gate will be closed by 4:00 PM Daily, however the Parking Lot Exit (Bottom) Gate will close at 4:30 PM Daily. All vehicles parked in the visitor center parking lot after closing hours will be locked in or towed at owner's expense. In case of Emergency call 911

Today's Hours: Pu'ukohola Heiau NHS is open during regular operational hours. Covered, open air portions at visitor center opens 8:30am-4:30pm daily. Parking stalls are available and accessible.

Getting there

From Keahole (Kona) International Airport: Head east on Keahole Airport Rd. Turn left at traffic light onto HI-19. Follow HI-19 to Spencer Beach Park Rd. (26.1 mi) Turn left onto HI-270 (0.4 mi) Turn left onto Spencer Beach Park Rd. (0.3 mi) Destination will be second right on Spencer Beach Park Rd. (Approximately 32 minute drive 27.5 mi)

Visitor centers

Weather

The weather in the park is typically hot and sunny with daytime temperatures in the upper 80's. An excellent time to experience the park is in the morning and in the late afternoon when the temperatures are a bit cooler. The park is open daily from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. However, the park and or trail does occasionally close because of high winds or dangerous storm conditions. Please check with the visitor center or your hotel for any weather advisories or hazardous conditions on the day of your visit.

Whose lands these are

These lands are the ancestral and present-day homelands of Native nations. A section on whose lands these are is being prepared with tribal review. In the meantime, Native Land Digital offers a starting point.

Photos

Heiau standing high above Pelekane Bay, as seen at sunset.
Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site · NPS Photo
Bench along a winding path.
Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site · NPS Photo
Ceremony procession along a heiau at sunrise.
Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site · NPS Photo
Back side of a historic stone heiau
Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site · NPS Photo

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