Museums And Sites

Natural History, June, 1999

Bishop Museum in Honolulu, island of Oahu, is the state's most complete repository of cultural and natural history items from Hawaii and the Pacific.

Kamuela Museum in Waimea, island of Hawaii, contains an eclectic collection of historical and archaeological curios from around the state.

Pu'uhonua o Honaunau is a National Historical Park in Honaunau, island of Hawaii. A place where people in trouble could seek sanctuary, it was built about 1500.

Pu'u o Mahuka Heiau in Pupukea, island of Oahu, is the largest early stone heiau (temple) on Oahu, perhaps dating from the 1500s. Local organizers recently took over its stewardship, stabilizing the walls and clearing vegetation to restore the commanding view of the shore.

Pi'ilanihale Heiau in Hana district, island of Maui, was built sometime after 1500 for the Maui chief Pi'ilani. It may be the largest prehistoric stone structure in the Pacific.

Pu'ukohala Heiau is a National Historical Site in Kawaihae, island of Hawaii. It was built in 1791 by Kamehameha the Great as a temple for his war god. This chief consolidated the Hawaiian Kingdom at the close of the 1700s.

The Russian Fort in Waimea, island of Kauai, was built in 1816 as part of an ill-fated venture of the Russian American Company, headquartered in Sitka, Alaska. Originally named Fort Elizabeth, after the consort of Tsar Alexander I, it flew the Russian flag before falling to a local rebellion in 1817.

'Iolani Palace in Honolulu, island of Oahu, was built in 1879 as a residence for Hawaiian royalty. The restored Western-style structure is the only true palace in the United States.