Pu`ukohola-Heiau National Historic Site

Walk in the footsteps of Hawaii's King Kamehameha I when you visit this national historic site. The helau, a huge stone temple, is one of the last sacred buildings ever constructed in Hawaii before Westerners arrived. It provides a true touchpoint for Hawaiian heritage. You'll learn a lot here. For example, did you know that all the stones for the temple were carried by hand from a sacred site about 20 miles away?

Pathways are generally handicapped-accessible, but the site can get very warm. Consider coming in the morning before it gets too hot. You'll get some amazing photos from the helau, so bring that camera. Because this is a sacred site, please act respectfully. You can't go inside the temple, but you can walk all the way around it. Keep your eyes peeled when you look out toward the ocean during the spring months, as you may see sharks schooling just off the beach.

Hipcamp can help you find gorgeous camping spots all over the Big Island. Unpack your bag in a cute cabana, or opt for a hammock slung at a glamping site. There are camps high on the sides of volcanoes and oceanfront spots that make it easy to soak up the beauty of the island.