The ancient Hawaiian temple built with a 20-mile human chain and one royal cousin’s life

Pu’ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site

In 1790, a Hawaiian priest named Kapoukahi delivered a prophecy that would change history. He told Kamehameha I that building a massive temple on the Kohala Coast would give him power to unite all the Hawaiian Islands under his rule.

Kamehameha took this seriously. He commanded thousands of his warriors and workers to form a human chain stretching 20 miles from Pololū Valley to the coast, passing volcanic stones hand to hand for months.

When the temple was finished in 1791, his rival cousin Keōua Kūʻahuʻula arrived for the dedication ceremony and was immediately killed as the temple’s first sacrifice.

Here’s the story of divine ambition and brutal politics that created this sacred site you can visit today.

The Prophecy That Started It All

By 1790, Kamehameha controlled western and northern Hawaii Island but couldn’t claim the entire island.

His cousin and rival, Keōua Kūʻahuʻula, still ruled the eastern districts. After many battles with no clear winner, Kamehameha sent his aunt to ask advice from Kapoukahi, a respected priest.

The prophet told Kamehameha he would rule all Hawaiian Islands if he built a temple to his war god Kūkāʻilimoku on Pu’ukoholā hill.

Kamehameha quickly began planning what would become one of Hawaii’s most important temples.

Choosing the Sacred Site

Kamehameha picked the hill above Kawaihae Bay for his temple. This spot gave clear views of approaching ships.

The location also had spiritual power in Hawaiian belief. Certain places were thought to have stronger connections to the gods, making this choice vital to the temple’s success.

The hill had already held a smaller temple from around 1580, showing others had recognized its sacred qualities before.

Gathering the Perfect Materials

The prophet said specific materials must be used. This wasn’t just a building project but a sacred task with strict rules.

The temple needed water-worn lava rocks – smooth stones shaped by ocean currents. These stones had special meaning in Hawaiian religious practices.

The closest source for these stones was Pololū Valley, about 20 miles away. This created a huge challenge for gathering enough materials.

The Human Chain

Kamehameha solved this problem with impressive organization. Instead of using boats or dragging stones over land, he created a human solution.

Kamehameha formed a human chain 20 miles long from Pololū Valley to the building site. This chain crossed rough terrain including steep valleys, mountains, and coastal areas.

Thousands of men passed each stone hand to hand until it reached the construction site. This method kept work moving without making any single person travel the entire distance.

Chiefs Working Alongside Commoners

Building Pu’ukoholā Heiau temporarily broke down social barriers in Hawaiian society. Normally, strict rules kept different social classes separate.

For this temple, everyone worked. Even high-ranking chiefs joined the labor force. Kamehameha himself worked alongside common men.

This participation by chiefs showed the temple’s importance. Kamehameha’s personal involvement proved his commitment to fulfilling the prophecy and uniting the islands.

The Brother’s Forbidden Participation

Despite this openness, some religious rules remained. Kamehameha’s younger brother, Keali’imaika’i, faced specific restrictions.

The brother was told not to touch any rocks during construction. As the person who would lead the dedication ceremonies, he needed to stay ritually pure.

When the brother ignored these rules, Kamehameha ordered all stones he touched removed and thrown into the sea.

This shows how seriously Hawaiians took ritual purity when building sacred spaces.

Engineering a Massive Structure

The finished temple was an amazing feat of engineering, built without mortar or metal tools. This dry-stacked stone construction has lasted for centuries.

By summer 1791, the temple measured 224 feet long by 100 feet wide with walls 16 to 20 feet high. Builders fitted stones together without using any mortar.

The precise stonework shows the advanced building skills in Hawaiian society. Carefully placed stones created a stable structure that still stands today.

A King’s Invitation to a Rival

With the temple complete, Kamehameha moved to the next step in fulfilling the prophecy. He invited his rival, Keōua Kūʻahuʻula, to attend the dedication ceremony.

Kamehameha claimed he wanted to discuss peace. We don’t know exactly why Keōua accepted this risky invitation.

Some accounts suggest Keōua felt discouraged after losing many warriors in battles and a volcanic eruption in 1790.

Others think he may have accepted his fate as part of the prophecies about Kamehameha.

The Sacrifice at the Temple

When Keōua arrived at Pelekane Beach near the temple, the supposed peace talks revealed their true purpose.

This moment changed Hawaiian political history. Keōua came to negotiate peace but instead became the first sacrifice on the temple’s altar in 1791.

This removed Kamehameha’s main rival for control of Hawaii Island.

Some stories claim Keōua may have harmed himself before arriving to make his body an improper sacrifice.

Despite this, Keōua and his companions were captured and killed when they came ashore.

Fulfilling the Prophecy

The dedication of Pu’ukoholā Heiau and Keōua’s sacrifice marked a turning point. From here, Kamehameha quickly moved toward uniting all islands.

With his main rival gone, Kamehameha took full control of Hawaii Island. He then conquered Maui in 1794 and Oahu in 1795 at the Battle of Nu’uanu.

The process finished when Kauai’s king became subject to Kamehameha in 1810. This made Kamehameha the first ruler of a unified Hawaiian kingdom, just as the prophet had foretold.

Visiting Pu’ukoholā Heiau

Pu’ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site welcomes visitors daily from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. No entrance fee applies.

Find the park at 62-3601 Kawaihae Road, about 35 miles north of Kailua-Kona. A visitor center offers educational exhibits and a 10-minute orientation film.

The park includes several historic structures beyond the main heiau: John Young’s Homestead, Mailekini Heiau, and the underwater shark temple (Hale o Kapuni).

Special cultural events happen throughout the year, including the annual Ho’oku’ikahi Festival each August.

Photography allowed, but drones prohibited. Visitors may not enter or climb on the heiau structures.

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