The Pu'ukohola Heiau in South Kohala has a bloody history of war and human sacrifice. This huge heiau, built in 1790-91 by King Kamehameha I, is administered by the National Park Service and covers 77 acres. One of the most imposing and dramatic Hawaiian temples in the island chain, Pu'ukohola has been largely restored. The park is located 1 mile south of the harbor at Kawaihae on Hwy. 270. From Hwy. 19 bear left onto Hwy. 270 where the signs point to Kawaihae.

Kamehameha built this war temple on the advice of the prophet Kapoukahi, who said that Kamehameha would conquer all the islands only after he built a temple dedicated to his family war god, Kuka'ilimoku. In the prophecy, war would end when the heiau was completed and a major chief had been sacrificed.

When work on the heiau, which was built with mortarless stone and measured 100 by 224 feet, was completed, Kamehameha invited his cousin and last Big Island rival Keoua to the dedication ceremonies. Perhaps awed by the power of the heiau and its god, perhaps resigned to his cousin's ascendancy, Keoua came willingly to what would be his doom. When he arrived there was a scuffle and Keoua and almost all of his companions were slain. The body of Keoua was carried up to the heiau and offered as the principal sacrifice to the war god Ku.

The death of Keoua ended all opposition on the island of Hawaii, and the prophecy began to come true. By 1810, through conquest and treaties, Kamehameha began his reign as king of the united Hawaiian Islands. Pu'ukohola is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.