Puu Kohola

The Pu'ukohala (whale hill) Heiau (temple) was built by King Kamehameha to honor his war god, Ku-kaili-moku. It was built in kawaihae by a kahuna (priest) who specialized in architecture. It was put together stone by stone by thousands of men who carried the stones from the mountains to the sea.

In building this heiau, King Kamehemeha hoped to gain the help of Ku in his quest to vanquish his enemies. This he achieved and went on to rule all the islands.