The culture and beauty of Hawai'i runs deeper than white sand beaches and hula dancers. Hawai'ians were — and continue to be — a people dedicated to honoring that which gave them life: the gods, their ancestors, and the land and sea. Throughout Hawai'i, heiau or temples were constructed to pay homage to the deities whom Hawai'ians believed controlled every aspect of life.
On the north shore of the island of O'ahu sit the ruins of largest heiau in Hawai'i, Pu'u O Mahuka. It is thought to have been built in the 1600s and was considered an extremely sacred place. Pu'u O Mahuka Heiau was one of the only two locations where the wives of ali'i (chiefs) could give birth, and was also used for human sacrifices to Ku, the Hawaiian god of war. It is rumored that explorer Captain George Vancouver and his crew, killed during a conflict with the natives, were sacrificed here. When the Hawai'ians' traditional religion was abolished in 1819 by colonizers, the heiau may have been used for other purposes, such as agriculture.
Located atop a mountain overlooking Waimea Bay (where one leg of the world famous Triple Crown Surfing Competition takes place) and Waimea Valley, Pu'u O Mahuka translated literally means "hill of escape." While time has done its work on the five-acre temple, for the most part Pu'u O Mahuka is well preserved. In 1962 it was declared a National Historic Landmark in honor of its cultural and historic importance to Hawai'i.
No longer used as a place for birth or sacrifice, Pu'u O Mahuka Heiau continues to represent a place of worship, as the altar fronting the monument is often covered with flowers, fruits, and other offerings from natives and locals. Take the scenic drive — which offers its own splendor — up to Pu'u O Mahuka late in the day. You are sure to experience the mana (spirit) of something greater, even if just by watching the sunset over the bay.
Attraction Information
- Hours:
- 7am to 6:45pm daily
- Directions:
- From the South, drive North on Kamehameha Hwy, past Waimea Bay toward the town of Pupukea. Take a right (or left if coming South on Kamehameha) on Pupukea Road, near Foodland Supermarket, and follow road signs for the heiau.
- Location:
- Off Pupukea Homestead Road (Highway 835), Pupukea, HI
