Puʻu O Mahuka Heiau State Historic Site
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**IMPORTANT PARK NOTICES**

Monitor weather reports before your park visit!

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[HAWAI’I] - UPDATE 8/22/25: Recruiting for a Park Maintenance Supervisor II – Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi. More information at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/hawaii/jobs/5019812-0/park-maintenance-supervisor-ii-kailua-kona-hawaii
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[MOLOKA’I] - UPDATE 8/29/25: Pala’au State Park Pavilion: Due to continued renovation work, the pavilion and camping is CLOSED until further notice. 

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[OʻAHU] - 7/25/25:  Sand Island State Recreation Area – Camping will be CLOSED for construction from August 30th, 2025 – December 31, 2025.

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[KAUA’I] - 7/11/25:  VISITORS TO WAIMEA CANYON AND KŌKEʻE STATE PARKS CAUTIONED TO EXPECT DELAYS AND LIMITED PARKING.  

Beginning July 14, 2025, Waimea Canyon Lookout with be closed for construction of safety improvements through early December, 2025.  This closure, in addition to several overlapping roadwork projects by both DOT-Highways and DLNR-State Parks, will cause delays, impact traffic patterns, and restrict overall parking capacity in these two popular parks through the end of the year.  DOT work is continuing on Waimea Canyon Drive, while work on portions of Kōkeʻe Road from the Kalalau Lookout to Puʻu o Kila lookout will be starting the same week.  Visitors can drive as far as the Kalalau Lookout, where improvements will also be initiated on July 17, with limited parking available.  We urge patience and driving with care as these various improvements are ongoing.  Local visitors are encouraged to enjoy these parks and lookouts on weekends, when most work will be suspended. Waimea Canyon Lookout will be closed for the duration of the project including weekends.

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[KAUAʻI] - UPDATE 3/21/25: Pā‘ula‘ula State Historic Site - Due to construction improvements, the park closure will begin starting March 24 until further notice.

Puʻu O Mahuka Heiau State Historic Site

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    Hours  Daily 9:00am – 5:30pm
    Entrance Fee None
    Park Brochure

    History

    Puʻu o Mahuka Heiau is the largest heiau (religious site or temple) on Oʻahu, covering almost 2 acres. The name is translated as “hill of escape”. Undoubtedly, this heiau played an important role in the social, political, and religious system of Waimea Valley which was a major occupation center of Oʻahu in the pre-contact period.

    Puʻu o Mahuka Heiau may have been constructed in the 1600s. Built as a series of 3 walled enclosures, the stacked rock walls ranged from 3 to 6 feet in height and the interior surface was paved with stone. Within the walls were wood and thatch structures. Such a large heiau would have been built by the makaʻainana (commoners) under the direction of a high ruling chief (ali’i nui) and his priests (kahuna).

    It was not unusual for a heiau to be expanded and modified by a new ruling chief. It appears that the upper, eastern enclosure was constructed first and was the ceremonial focus of the heiau. The other 2 enclosures were added later, probably in the 1700s.

    In the 1770s, high priest Ka’opulupulu under Oʻahu chief Kahahana, oversaw this heiau. This was a time of political upheaval and it is likely that the heiau was used as a heiau luakini (sacrificial temple), perhaps for success in war.

    In 1795, when Kamehameha I conquered Oʻahu, his high priest Hewahewa conducted religious ceremonies at this heiau. Use of the site continued until 1819 when the traditional religion was abolished.

    Situated on a ridge with a commanding view of Waimea Valley and the northern shoreline of Oʻahu, this heiau had ties with the heiau at Wailua on Kaua’i. It is reported that signal fires at these heiau provided a visual communication between the islands.

    In 1792, Capt. George Vancouver anchored his ship Daedalus off Waimea and sent a party onshore to collect water. A skirmish ensued with the Hawaiians and 3 of Vancouver’s men were killed. Some have suggested that these men were taken to Puʻu o Mahuka Heiau for sacrifice.

    After the heiau was abandoned, circa 1819, the site may have been used for other purposes. Some have suggested that the middle enclosure was used for agriculture and the stone mounds are clearing and/or planting areas. Pineapple was cultivated around the heiau until the 1960s.

    Puʻu o Mahuka Heiau was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1962 in recognition of its importance to Hawaiian culture and history. Also in 1962, the 4-acre property encompassing the heiau was placed under the jurisdiction of State Parks to preserve this significant site for future generations.

    In the 1960s, the path through the heiau was created. Today, we ask that you observe the site from outside the walls and do not enter the site to avoid further damaging the walls and paving.

    Malama Hawaii-Culture from Hawaii DLNR on Vimeo.