Kohala Historical Sites State Monument, Sacred temple complex in North Kohala, Hawaii, US
Kohala Historical Sites State Monument is a sacred temple complex in North Kohala featuring a large stone structure with thick walls. The site includes a paved courtyard and other architectural elements from ancient Hawaiian religious practice.
The site was built between 1100 and 1300 AD on top of an earlier temple dating back to 480 AD. This layering shows how sacred this location remained for Hawaiian people across centuries.
The temple served as a ceremonial site where Hawaiian chiefs performed religious rituals and made offerings to Ku, the god of war. You can still sense the spiritual importance this location held in ancient Hawaiian traditions.
The site sits in a remote location accessed by a dirt road that can be challenging during wet weather. Wear sturdy footwear and bring water, as the area offers limited shade and shelter.
The stones used in construction were transported by hand from a distant valley, showing the immense effort invested in this sacred place. This logistical achievement reveals how important the site was to ancient Hawaiian communities.
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