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.

Key Features of Kane'aki Heiau

• Historic heiau built in the 16th century: Considered the best preserved on Oahu, located in secluded Makaha Valley.
• Dedicated to the god Lono: Associated with agriculture and fertility, this temple includes traditional elements like an altar and drum house.
• Site of royal worship: King Kamehameha I worshiped here; the heiau was active until his death in 1812.
• Traditional restoration: Reconstructed using ohia wood and pili grass to maintain authenticity.
• Currently closed to visitors: The site is on private land and remains off-limits until further notice.

Rating Please Select Your Comment* Name* Email (Will not be shown) Security Image* * Required fields

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

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