Kohala

Kohala occupies the northern end of Hawaiʻi Island, where old volcanic slopes descend towards the sea. Valleys on its windward side and the drier coast to the west supported communities under Hawaiian chiefs. At Kawaihae, the great temple of Puʻukoholā overlooked a sheltered coastal bay and the ocean beyond. Kohala was the birthplace of Kamehameha, who rose amid the struggles for control of the island.

In 1790 his rival Keōua attacked Kohala while Kamehameha was away campaigning on Maui. On a priest’s advice, Kamehameha built Puʻukoholā Heiau at Kawaihae, dedicated to the war god Kū. After Keōua was killed in 1791, Kamehameha secured control of Hawaiʻi Island and went on to bring the other islands under his rule.