Kane'aki Heiau
Kane'aki Heiau, Oahu
Please note: Kane'aki Heiau is currently closed until further notice.
Built in the 16th century, Kane'aki Heiau is considered the best preserved heiau on Oahu. It is located on the island's leeward (west) side in Makaha Valley. One reason why the heiau is in such a good shape is because it has been completely restored. It was reconstructed with traditional ohia tree logs and pili, a bunchgrass, and includes an altar, god images, two prayer towers, a drum house and a taboo house.
The heiau is dedicated to Lono, the god of agriculture and fertility. A large stone at the heiau is “Pohaku o Kane” (Stone of Kane). Kane is one of the major gods and is regarded as the guardian over the heiau up until today. King Kamehameha used to worship here and the heiau was in use until his death in 1812.
Kane'aki Heiau Overview
- Currently the heiau is closed until further notice
- Best restored heiau on Oahu
- Located on private property in Makaha Valley on the island's leeward side
- The inside area of the heiau is kapu (off-limits)
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Reviews and Comments: | | | Visited Oahu from Texas last week. We rented one of
the AirBnBs in the gated community that this heiau is
located in. There is a gate across the paved street at
the back of the neighborhood with a little access gate
next to it. We walked up the pavement about 200 yards
and the heiau was off the path to the right. We were
able to tour the site and made sure to stay off of any
structures, as instructed by the signs. Unfortunately,
it remains closed to the public. I just wanted to post
an update on the status of the site. | | Randy, Wed Mar 26, 2025 |
| | | Visited Oahu from Texas last week. We rented one of
the AirBnBs in the gated community that this heiau is
located in. There is a gate across the paved street at
the back of the neighborhood with a little access gate
next to it. We walked up the pavement about 200 yards
and the heiau was off the path to the right. We were
able to tour the site and made sure to stay off of any
structures, as instructed by the signs. Unfortunately,
it remains closed to the public. I just wanted to post
an update on the status of the site. | | Randy, Wed Mar 26, 2025 |
| | When I was just a kid and we lived nearly at the top of
Jade Street, my dad would write letters to the Chinaman
who owned so much of the property up there, to get
permission for us to climb his
Gate and hike through the jungle to get to
Kaneaki Heiau. It had not been restored then (in the
50’s and early 60’s) but was beautiful beyond
measure. By keeping quite still we could hear and feel
the magic of the place. I would sit with one of the
rather tame peacocks on my lap. We were the only ones
back then, never ran into anyone else. | | Penny Einmo, Mon May 16, 2022 |
| | | been more than a decade since i was there. unlikely it
will ever be open to the public again. was lucky
enough to be allowed to visit there with one of my
close friends | | Vincent Eblacas, Sun Feb 18, 2018 |
 | | Heiau is closed because the hillside is unstable and
large boulders roll down after heavy rains.
The
residents cannot afford the expenses of an engineer or
the costs of stabilizing the. Mountainside | | PM Kawai, Sun Oct 15, 2017 |
 | | | We always visited this site on every visit to Oahu. Up
until about 2010, that is, when we discovered that it
has been closed. Locals tell us that, since the site
is located within the boundaries of a gated community,
the residents exerted their influence to have the site
closed because they (the residents) didn't like the
non-residents coming into their community. We were
never at the heiau when there were more than perhaps
three cars visiting, sometimes we were the only
visitors. It's a shame that the public can no
longer visit what we believe is the best heiau in
Hawaii. | | M. Scott McMannis, Thu Jan 21, 2016 |
| | | Does anyone know when the Kaneaki heiau will reopen?
It's been closed at least three years. | | Joann Levey, Sat Apr 18, 2015 |
| | | March 2014 - I called the phone no. above and was told
the heiau has been closed for about a year and it
isn't known when it'll reopen. | | HI resident, Tue Mar 18, 2014 |
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Location:
Makaha Valley, HI 96792
Directions: Take H1 West, which later turns into Farrington Highway. Turn right onto Makaha Valley Road. Turn right onto Maunaolu Street, which leads into Maunaolu Estates. There is a guard at the gatehouse who will let visitors to the heiau enter.
Heiau in Makaha Valley
