Kane'aki Heiau

Lonely Planet review

Set within the Makaha Valley, this is one of the best restored sacred sites on the island. According to legend the rain goddess was impressed with the fishing prowess of a local chief. His generous offering to her was reciprocated with generous rainfall to the parched valley and in turn a heiau was built in her honor. The site was later used as a luakini , a temple to the war god Ku and a place for human sacrifices. Kamehameha worshipped here.

The site remained in use until the time of his death in 1812. Restoration, undertaken by the Bishop Museum and completed in 1970, added two prayer towers, a taboo house, drum house, altar and god images. The heiau was reconstructed using traditional ohia tree logs and pili (a bunchgrass, commonly used for thatching houses) from the Big Island. The immediate setting surrounding the heiau remains undisturbed, though it's in the midst of a residential estate.

To get there, take Kili Dr to the Makaha Valley Towers condominiums, and turn right onto Huipu Dr. Half a mile down on the left is Mauna Olu St, leading into Mauna Olu Estates. The guard at the Mauna Olu Estates gatehouse grants entry to nonresidents who are visiting the heiau , a short drive past the gatehouse. Following rain, access is difficult, so call in advance.