Oahu Ancient Sites
FIND BY NAME:
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
Built between 1470 A.D. and 1700 A.D., this heiau is dedicated to Lono, the God of agriculture. Human sacrifices didn’t happen here regularly, but sometimes fish and human offerings were made to ensure a good harvest.
He'eia Fishpond is located at Kane'ohe Bay on Oahu's windward coast. It is one of the few fishponds left on the island. It encompasses 88 acres and its walls are about 5,000 feet (1,524 m) long.
Ka'a'awa Valley is one of the most beautiful locations on the island of Oahu. It is also a site that is mentioned in many ancient legends and a place where the nightmarchers are believed to roam on full moon nights.
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 and features an altar, god images, two prayer towers, a drum house and a taboo house.
Kaneana Cave is a mysterious site on Oahu's leeward (west) coast, almost as far away as you can get on the island near where the road ends. There are many ancient legends that tell about the cave's history.
This sacred spring is located in downtown Honolulu on the grounds of Kawaiahao Church. This is where in the old Hawaii, a spring was located that was reserved for ali'i (high chiefs and chiefesses).
The Ku'ilioloa Heiau in Waianae commands a beautiful view of Oahu's west shore. The heiau has three terraced platforms and is believed to have been a temple of learning and training.
Kukaniloko, which means "to anchor the cry from within," was built in the 12th century by an Oahu chief. It was here where royal women were taken to give birth in the old Hawaii.
This is the largest coastal valley on Oahu's leeward (west) coast. It is backed by the Wai'anae Mountain Range, which is one of two mountain ranges on Oahu (the Ko'olau Mountain Range is the other one).
It is believed that Mauna Lahilahi was sacred to Kane, the Hawaiian god of procreation and the father of all living creatures. Several petroglyphs have been carved at the mountain's eastern end, mainly human and dog figures.
Mokauea Island is home to Oahu's last Hawaiian fishing village. The tiny island is loacted in Ke'ehi Lagoon, next to the Honolulu International Airport. Volunteers regularly visit Mokauea to help with restoration efforts.
Moli'i Fishpond is one of the largest fishponds in all of Hawaii, encompassing 125 acres and ranging in depth from 4 to 30 feet (1-9m). It is between 600 to 960 years old.
The Nu'upia Ponds are located on the Mokapu Peninsula on Oahu's southwestern shore. They serve as a habitat for the endangered Hawaiian black-necked stilt. Many ancient legends tell of this peninsula and the ponds.
Located just south of Kaiona Beach Park, Pahonu Pond is an ancient Hawaiian stone enclosure surrounded a turtle pond where fishermen put turtles that were to be consumed by the ali'i (Hawaiian chiefs and royalty).
Located at the foot of the Kamilo Iki ridge in Hawaii Kai, the Pahua Heiau is believed to have been built in the 14th century and is dedicated to the god of agriculture. White coral pieces can still be seen in the rock foundation.
Located on Oahu's south shore is an interesting lava rock formation called Pele's Chair, which overlooks the ocean. In the old Hawaii, this rock was called Kapaliokamoa, meaning the cliff of the chicken.
What looks like a giant stone mushroom are actually two limestones, one sitting on top of the other. This ancient site is also referred to as a balancing rock. Legend has it that the limestone floated ashore from the distant land of Kahiki.
Pohaku Pa'akiki is a lava rock in the nearshore waters of Kaupo Beach. The rock looks ordinary and just like any other rock on the beach. But there is an ancient legend about this one that's quite interesting.
Go to this ancient Hawaiian heiau around sundown to feel the "mana" (sacred spirit) and a mysterious energy that will give you goose bumps all over. The Pu'u o Mahuka Heiau is the largest heiau on Oahu, covering almost two acres.
This historic site at Ulehawa Beach on Oahu's leeward coast is an old Hawaiian settlement that has been preserved by the city of Honolulu. Not many such ancient ruins remain on Oahu's shoreline.
The Ulupo Heiau is quite massive and required a large workforce. One stone is recorded to have been brought to the heiau all the way from Kualoa, which is more than 10 miles (16 km) away.
If these four giant stones could talk, they would have an interesting story to tell. They 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.
