Established July 1, 1961

Today, Polynesian-introduced coconut trees towering gracefully over the national historical park grounds, and shade preserved and rehabilitated walls, canoe houses, and fishponds. The picturesque and utilitarian hala (Pandanus tectorius), an introduced Polynesian plant used to weave mats and baskets, is still found here. The leaves, or lau, of the hala are resilient and flexible. Look for handcrafted lauhala (pandanus leaf) items now available at the park store, and learn to weave your own crafts during lauhala weaving demonstrations.

Visitors will be drawn to the carefully tended thatched heiau (temple), Hale o Keawe, which once held the consecrated bones of 23 great chiefs of Hawaiʻi. It was believed that the mana (spiritual power) of the chiefly bones would offer additional protection to an already powerful place. Situated on a point of land near the sea and surrounded by dramatic kiʻi, (carved images) Hale o Keawe is still considered very sacred ground.

The waters of the nearby small bay are considered part of those restricted grounds and may not be entered for swimming. Honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles) often rest and warm themselves on the sandy shore—they are also protected, but by Federal law. Iwa (great frigate birds) often ride the rising thermals overhead, and during the winter you may see a kōlea (Pacific golden plover) on the park grounds, holding its territory and fattening up before its long migration back to Alaskan breeding grounds.

Please refer to the national park page for current conditions and alerts.