Puʻukoholā Heiau

Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Pacific Island Network Preserving Kamehameha’s Legacy in Today’s World At Pu'ukohola- Heiau National Historic Site, many key features of this culturally significant park are influenced by waters flowing from Makeahua and Pohaukole Gulches. In 1790 when the Pu'ukohola- Heiau was constructed, the bay supported abundant limu (seaweed) and fish in clear waters, and Hale o Kapuni Heiau (shark temple) was visible. Centuries of cattle ranching and feral pig and goats have spread invasive plants and increased erosion. Recent damming of the stream has increased sediment flow, and the adjacent port, built on landfill, has reduced flushing of sediment from the bay. As a result, Hale o Kapuni Heiau is now buried, and many native fish can no longer be found. Pu'ukohola- Heiau (temple) 1798 1810 1819 John Young builds his house at Kawaihae, land given to him by Kamehameha Kamehameha unites the islands and becomes King Kamehameha I Kamehameha I dies, ending centuries of the kapu social and economic structure 1790 Pu'ukohola- Heiau is constructed by Kamehameha pond at Pelekane, site of royal courtyard 1928 Pu'ukohola- Heiau is designated as a Historical Landmark 1972 Pu'ukohola- Heiau National Historic Site is established Pu‘ukohola Heiau National Historic Site approx. 1790 present National Park boundary Park building lava field landfill coral reef Cultural and Natural Resources Threats and Human Impacts Cultural and Natural Resources heiau, such as Hale o Kapuni (shark temple), were key to the native culture native plants such as the loulu palm and pili grass were plentiful restored heiau (temples) host Hawaiian historical and cultural events landfill blocks longshore currents from flushing sediment from bay freshwater streams and a spring provided water to the community the bay was clear and deep with a rocky bottom invasive plants are removed and native plants are restored by park staff sediment is filling in the bay, killing coral and reducing fish populations occasional feral pigs disturbed native vegetation and soil limu (seaweed), nutrition for people and turtles, was harvested on the reef freshwater upwelling continues to flow in the bay neighboring development is encroaching on park boundaries continuous stream flow contained small amounts of sediment longshore currents kept the deep bay well flushed some stream water was diverted for agricultural irrigation a thriving coral reef supported a diverse and abundant fish population port and military traffic is increasing noise and pollution Threats and Human Impacts cattle, feral pigs, and goats cause soil erosion and spread invasive plants an earthen dam has resulted in reduced and irregular stream flow tilapia is an introduced fish found in the park pond native sandalwood trees were abundant Pu'ukoholaHeiau National Historic Site Pu'ukohola- Heiau (temple) native milo used for dyes and carving Cultural and Natural Resources neighboring port and marina sediment-laden stream runoff Threats and Human Impacts Management Initiatives development encroaching on park boundaries • work with neighbors to minimize impacts on park native, culturally significant plants and animals invasive species outcompeting native species • remove invasive plants and fence park freshwater spring and pond stream banks eroding, stream flow reduced • replant stream banks and restore stream flow clear water, coral reef, and marine life bay sedimentation and restricted flushing • explore options for sediment reduction in bay Major Islands of Hawaii Mauka National Park Service Moloka'i http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/pacn/ Mau'i N Lana'i 37 miles North America Asia Islands of Hawaii Pacific Ocean Kaho'olawe Hawai'i Pu'ukohola- Heiau National Historic Site (star) on the island of Hawai'i. ng PS N Pacific Island Network Inventory & Monitoring Program ISLAND NET W RK O'ahu FIC O - Heiau National Historic Site www.nps.gov/puhe Pu'ukohola Ni'ihau PA CI Kauai'i Australia adjacent visitor use cultural and historic sites Pacific Ocean 0 resource protection by fencing i Inv or ento nit ry & Mo Hawai'i Makai Integration & Application Network (IAN) University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science www.ian.umces.edu N Ahupua’a land division map (left) with Kawaihae watershed (circled) and park (red).