Puu o Mahuka Heiau at a Glance
Go to this ancient Hawaiian heiau (religious temple site)
around sundown to feel the “mana” (sacred spirit) and a
mysterious energy that will give you goose bumps all over.
The Puu O Mahuka Heiau is the largest heiau on Oahu, covering
almost two acres. It is a national historic landmark, its
name meaning “hill of escape.” The heiau may have been constructed
as early as the 1600s. It is situated on a mountain, 300
feet high, and overlooks
Waimea Bay on Oahu’s North Shore.
The heiau is well-preserved and consists of three adjoining
enclosures measuring 575 feet by 170 feet, with an altar
in front of it that is often covered by flowers and fruits
left there as offerings by Native Hawaiians and local residents.
Most tourists don’t know about this place as many maps don’t
show it.The Puu O Mahuka Heiau was considered a sacred
and powerful place for the kahuna (priests) and one of two
places where the wives of the ancient chiefs gave birth.
But the heiau was also a site of human sacrifice. In the
1770s, a time of political upheaval, the high priest Kaopulupulu
supervised this heiau. He predicted that Oahu would be overrun
by strangers from a faraway land.
Captain George Vancouver anchored his ship, the Daedalus,
off Waimea in 1792 and sent some people ashore to collect
water. A conflict with the Hawaiians arose and three of
Vancouver’s men were killed. Some say that they were sacrificed
here at this heiau.
In 1795, when King Kamehameha I conquered Oahu, his high
priest Hewahewa carried out religious ceremonies here, until
the traditional religion was abolished in 1819. After that
the heiau may have been used for other purposes. Some say
that the middle enclosure was used for agriculture. Pineapple
was grown around the heiau until the 1960s.
In 1962, the Puu O Mahuka Heiau was declared a National
Historic Landmark in recognition of its importance to the
Hawaiian history and culture. In the same year, the four-acre
property surrounding the heiau was placed under the jurisdiction
of State Parks to preserve this site for future generations.
A path through the heiau was created around this time.
If you plan to come here for a visit, please don’t climb
over the walls to get to the center of the heiau as this
may damage the walls and paving. Also, this is a sacred
place that should only be viewed from behind the walls.
The park is open daily from 7 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. There is
no entrance fee.
Puu o Mahuka Heiau in Bullet Points
- Largest heiau on Oahu, has three adjoining enclosures
measuring 575 feet by 170 feet
- Located on Oahu's North Shore overlooking Waimea
Bay
- Heiau is well-preserved and open daily
Driving Directions to the Puu o Mahuka Heiau / Location
If you’re coming from the west on Oahu’s North Shore on
Kamehameha Highway, drive past Waimea Beach Park and Waimea
Valley toward the town of Pupukea. Drive about 1 mile and
take a right onto Pupukea Road (where the Foodland supermarket
is located). Follow this road until you see the signs to
the heiau. Free Parking is available.
Address: Off Pupukea Homestead Road (Highway 835), Pupukea,
HI 96712
Puu o Mahuka Heiau Map (top)
Loading...
Pupukea Weather (top)
Now
85°F
Windchill:
85°F
Mostly Cloudy
|
Location: Haleiwa, HI, US
Wind: 9 mph E
Humidity: 55%
Visibility: 0.1 mi
Pressure: 29.94 in falling
Sunrise: 6:38 am
Sunset: 5:53 pm
|
Sat
Hi: 84°F
Low: 69°F
Partly Cloudy
|
Sun
Hi: 85°F
Low: 70°F
Mostly Cloudy
|
Puu o Mahuka Heiau Photos (click to enlarge)
(top)
Puu o Mahuka Heiau Reviews and Comments
(top)
|
