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Heiau in Pupukea (Pu'u O Mahuka Heiau State Historic Site)

Writer: MicheleMichele

Updated: Mar 3, 2020

This location has an amazing view from the mountain of Waimea Bay and is an important cultural and historic location as well. I’m lucky enough to visit this spot on a regular basis as I live on the mountain in Pupukea. The remains of the Heiau are impressive and there is a easy trail that takes you to an overlook of the bay and then winds around the ruins. There are also educational placards that explain a bit of the history, purpose and the layout of the site.



Puʻu o Mahuka Heiau State Historic Site on the North Shore of Oʻahu is the largest Heiau on the island, covering 2 acres on a hilltop overlooking Waimea Bay and Waimea Valley.


Puʻu o Mahuka means 'Hill of Escape'. Hawaiian legends have it that from this point, Pele (Volcano Goddess) leaped from Oahu to the next island, Molokai. From its commanding heights, sentries could once monitor much of the northern shoreline of Oʻahu, and even spot signal fires from the Wailua Complex of Heiaus on Kauaʻi, with which it had ties. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1962, when it became the center of a 4-acre State Park, and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966










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