Beyond the Beaches: Cultural Gems on Hawaiʻi Island That Stay With You

The Big Island (Hawaiʻi Island) has some incredible spots where you can step back in time and learn about ancient Hawaiian traditions, royalty, and the kapu system that shaped life here centuries ago. These aren't just tourist stops; they're living pieces of history that deserve respect and a bit of quiet reflection.

Here are a few of our personal favorites that we recommend to guests staying at our rentals, especially those around the Kona side like Hualalai.

One place that never fails to move me is Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, often called the Place of Refuge. In ancient times, if someone broke the kapu (sacred laws), they could face death unless they reached a puʻuhonua—a sanctuary where they were absolved. This is one of the best-preserved examples left, with the royal grounds, that massive Great Wall separating the sacred area, reconstructed heiau (temples), kiʻi (wooden images), and even some petroglyphs. Walking around there, you really feel the weight of the traditions.

To visit: It's about a 30-45 minute drive south from most Kona-area spots (take Highway 11 south, then turn onto Highway 160 toward Hōnaunau). The park is open daily, usually from around 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with an entrance fee of about $15 per vehicle (check the NPS site for current details, as things can change). Plan for 1-2 hours to wander the paths, read the signs, and maybe catch a ranger talk if one's scheduled. Wear comfy shoes, bring water (not much shade), and be mindful—it's a sacred site, so quiet voices and no touching artifacts.

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Another one close by and worth pairing with it is Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park, just north of Kailua-Kona. This spot shows everyday ancient Hawaiian life with restored fishponds (loko iʻa), trails along the coast, petroglyphs, and remnants of old settlements. It's a great way to understand how people lived sustainably off the land and sea.

To visit: Easy access from Kona (off Highway 19), open daily. Short hikes, but bring sunscreen and water—it's coastal and exposed.

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If you're up for heading north, Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site near Kawaihae is powerful. This massive heiau was built by Kamehameha the Great in the late 1700s as part of a prophecy to unite the islands. It's tied directly to the birth of the Hawaiian Kingdom. The visitor center has great exhibits, and the site overlooks the ocean—very peaceful but humbling.

To visit: Drive time from Kona is around an hour or so via the Kohala coast.

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For something right in town if you're based in Kailua-Kona, check out Huliheʻe Palace on Aliʻi Drive. It was a summer home for Hawaiian royalty in the 1800s, now a museum with beautiful koa furniture, royal artifacts, quilts, and portraits. It's run by the Daughters of Hawaii, and admission is reasonable (around $10). Takes about an hour to tour, and it's air-conditioned—nice break from the heat.

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Right nearby is Mokuʻaikaua Church, the oldest Christian church in Hawaii, founded in 1820.

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No list of Big Island cultural spots would be complete without mentioning Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Beyond the dramatic lava flows and active volcanoes like Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, this place holds deep spiritual meaning for Native Hawaiians. It's considered the sacred home of Pelehonuamea, the goddess of volcanoes, fire, and creation. Halemaʻumaʻu Crater, in particular, is traditionally seen as her dwelling place, where people would come to offer gifts and prayers. The park protects not just the geology but also ancient trails, heiau, petroglyph fields (like Puʻuloa), and other sites that connect to Polynesian pioneers and traditional practices. It's a reminder of how the land and the akua (gods) are intertwined in Hawaiian worldview.

To visit: It's about a 2-2.5 hour drive from Kona (Highway 11 east through Volcano village). Entrance is $30 per vehicle (good for 7 days), open 24/7 but visitor center hours vary. Drive Chain of Craters Road for epic views, hike to see steam vents or petroglyphs, and always check for current lava activity and closures. Respect protocols—like not taking rocks (it's said to bring bad luck, tied to Pele)—and consider joining a cultural talk if available.

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Then there's Mauna Kea, the tallest mountain in the world when measured from its base on the ocean floor. In Hawaiian tradition, it's profoundly sacred—known as Ka Mauna a Wākea, the mountain of the sky father, and the piko (umbilical cord) connecting Hawaiians to their ancestors and the heavens. It's a place where earth meets sky, home to the gods, with cultural altars, burial sites, and immense spiritual importance. Many see it as the most sacred of all Hawaiian mountains.

To visit: Summit is about 1.5-2 hours from Kona via Highway 190 to Saddle Road, then up Mauna Kea Access Road (4WD recommended for the top; check weather and altitude sickness warnings). Visitor Information Station at 9,200 ft is open daily and great for stargazing or learning without going all the way up. If you're not summiting, the lower areas offer incredible views and a sense of its mana (spiritual power). Always approach with reverence—no off-trail wandering near cultural sites.

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A fun connection to all this history: If you've watched the Apple TV+ series Chief of War with Jason Momoa, it brings some of these themes to life. The show, co-created by Momoa, draws from real events in the late 1700s and early 1800s during the unification of the islands under Kamehameha. While much was filmed in New Zealand and Oahu, some intense battle scenes used the lava fields on the Big Island (around areas like Kalapana and near Volcanoes National Park) to capture that raw, volcanic landscape that shaped Hawaiian warfare and culture. It's a powerful, Indigenous-led portrayal that highlights chiefs, traditions, and the land's role in history—definitely worth checking out before or after your visit to feel even more connected.

Staying with us at Kema Kama means you're already in a great spot on the west side, close to many of these. It's rewarding to hear guests come back saying a visit to one of these changed how they saw the island. If you're planning a trip or already here, feel free to reach out—happy to share more specifics or current tips.