Stones of Kapaemahu

Oahu Ancient Site Guide

Stones of Kapaemahu

The Stones of Kapaemahu are four sacred healing stones in Waikiki that honor Tahitian mahu healers and preserve an important Hawaiian cultural story.

Waikiki Ancient Attraction
Waikiki Ancient Attraction

Wizard Stones, Oahu

This ancient site is located in the heart of Waikiki, right on the beach near the Duke Kahanamoku Statue. If these four giant stones could talk, they would have an interesting story to tell. Also called The Stones of Life or Na Pohaku Ola Kapaemahu a Kapuni, the Wizard Stones are said to contain the mana (power) of four wizards who came to Oahu from Tahiti a long time ago, possibly around 400 A.D.

According to this ancient legend, the four wizards named Kahaloa, Kinohi, Kapuni and Kapaemahu possessed healing powers. They settled in Waikiki near where today the Moana Surfrider hotel is located. They helped the island residents by relieving their aches and pains and word about these healers spread quickly on the island.

The wizards told the people that they didn't intend to stay on the island. Their intention was to heal, teach and share their knowledge before returning home. Before they left, they gave the people instructions to build a monument in memory of their visit.

On a full moon night thousands of islanders met on the hill behind the neighborhood of Kaimuki (about two miles away from Waikiki Beach) to move four large stones, each weighing a ton or more, to the place where the wizards lived, as they had been instructed.

Before the wizards left Hawaii, they told the people that they would endow these stones with their healing powers. Today, these four stones are still there for people to see. They have been moved onto a platform and fenced in to protect and preserve them. Many visitors come to see the Wizards in Waikiki each day and bring a flower lei to honor these healing stones.

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Jessica

Mon Apr 01, 2019

Even though we had the description on where it is located it was still a little difficult to find. It was nice to see that people still put down flowers and leis. We looked for this sight as part of the Waikiki Historical Walk

Location, Parking and Directions

The Stones of Kapaemahu are located along Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki, near the Duke Kahanamoku Statue, Waikiki Police Substation and Kuhio Beach. The site is easiest to reach on foot from central Waikiki. The map marker identifies the monument area near the beachfront walkway.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the Stones of Kapaemahu?

The Stones of Kapaemahu are in Waikiki near the Duke Kahanamoku Statue, the Waikiki Police Substation and Kuhio Beach along Kalakaua Avenue.

What are the Stones of Kapaemahu?

They are four sacred healing stones that honor four Tahitian mahu healers who, according to tradition, brought healing knowledge to Waikiki.

Why are the stones also called Wizard Stones?

Older signs and guidebooks often used the name Wizard Stones. Today, Stones of Kapaemahu or Healer Stones of Kapaemahu better reflects the cultural story behind the site.

Can visitors touch the Stones of Kapaemahu?

No. The stones are protected within a fenced monument. Visitors should view them respectfully from outside the fence and avoid disturbing leis or offerings.

Is the site easy to find?

Yes, but it can be easy to walk past in busy Waikiki. Look near the Duke Kahanamoku Statue and Waikiki Police Substation on the makai side of Kalakaua Avenue.