While a brushfire forced the closure of Pu'ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site for a few days, it didn't damage the temple/NPS

A brushfire that swept across almost 4,700 acres at Pu‘ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site in Hawai'i didn't damage the temple, but it will be another day or two before the park is reopened.

The fire ignited this past weekend and led to the site's closure Monday and Tuesday. The park could reopen Wednesday, once firefighters extinguish smoldering hot spots and park archaeologists assess any damage to cultural sites.

Pu‘ukoholā Heiau, the massive stone temple where King Kamehameha the Great launched his successful quest to unite the Hawaiian Islands in 1810, did not sustain any damage in the fire, nor did the older Mailekini Heiau below it, park officials said.

The homestead site of British sailor John Young, who served as King Kamehameha’s advisor, also appears unscathed.

The brushfire, exacerbated by strong winds and dry, hot weather, came within a few feet of the visitor center and park headquarters on Saturday, but was put out by firefighters before it reached the buildings. Although both facilities are without phone service and Internet, the visitor center has water and electricity.

An undated aerial view of the temple/NPS

“We are incredibly grateful to all the agencies and volunteers who banded together to fight this fire,” said park Superintendent Daniel Kawaiaea. “Thankfully, there were no injuries to visitors or park staff. We also appreciate the kōkua from our sister parks, Pu‘uhonua o Hōnauanau National Historical Park, Alakahakai National Historic Trail, and Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, who are providing resources and staff."

The fire burned about 90 percent of the vegetation on the park’s 80 acres, and melted temporary solar light fixtures along its main path. Large blackened swaths of ground, once covered in plants, are now exposed throughout the park. The vegetation was a mix of non-native grasses and shrubs, and native species like pili grass, pua kala (Hawaiian poppy) and ma‘o (Hawaii cotton).

Superintendent Kawaiaea said a decision whether the park will hold or cancel the 43rd annual Ho‘oku‘ikahi Establishment Day Hawaiian Cultural Festival, scheduled for this coming weekend, was to be made Tuesday.

“Our biggest concern at this point is the safety for the public, our employees and the festival participants,” the superintendent said. “In addition to the fire damage, there is also a tropical storm expected to impact us later this week.”