Keaiwa Heiau (an Ancient Hawaiian Temple) is located at the top of Aiea Heights Drive in the Keaiwa Heiau State Recreation Area. Upon entry into the State Park the Keaiwa Heiau is to the left and you will definitely do a double take at first glance. KEAIWA HEIAU is known as the temple with life. It is believed to be where the 'Kahuna' (priest, minister) practiced the art of healing. The gardens right by the temple were compounded and then given to the patient while praying.
It is unknown when this Heiau was built but one source says possibly around the 16th century. Measuring 100 by 160 feet the heiau also has an enclosure that was a halau (large thatched structure) built for the master kahuna (priest) to store the medicinal implements and to train and teach the students.
The Keaiwa Heiau State Recreation Area is a 384 acre park and there is the Aiea Loop (hiking) Trail that is 4.8 miles and begins and ends in the park.
In the late 1920's foresters replanted the area and the lemon eucalyptus trees give off a citrus frangrance in the mountainous air.
You'll also see Norfolk Island pines, the native koa and ohia trees.
Along the trail you may even see the remnants of a B-24 bomber that crashed in 1944.
The park also has 4 camp sites, recreation areas for picnics and breathtaking views from atop the mountain of Pearl Harbor in the distance below.
Directions: End of 'Aiea Heights Drive, 'Aiea Heights, 'Aiea. Follow H-1 to Moanalua Highway (Hwy. 78). Take the 'Aiea cutoff to the third traffic light, make a right turn at 'Aiea Heights Drive and follow it about 3 miles up to the end of the road.
Hours: April 1 to Labor Day: 7:00 am to 7:45 pm
After Labor Day to March 31: 7:00 am to 6:45 pm
Entrance Fees: None
Services/Facilities: Restrooms, showers, camping area, picnic tables, trash cans, drinking water, payphone, hiking trail.
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Another 'Hawaii Points of Interest' provided by:
© 2008 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog. All rights reserved.
Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate® and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocations, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents, Home Buyers and Sellers.
© 2007-2012 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog.
All rights reserved.
Woo Hoo, What I love here are the photos once again. They belong in a Travel Guide. Hope you are making one,:-). Are the remnants of the B-24 protected or just out in the open? Would be cool to see this park for sure.
Sally: What a great post for Keaiwa Heiau State Recreation Area! That photo just looks spiritual! One of these days... ;-)
Sally.... I love this kind of history per se. ANd I like the new look of your pictures... but then again, if not so new, it's because I haven't been around as much lately.
How gorgeous and uniquic! I want to be a Hawaiian Realtor too!!! : )
I was unaware of the B-24. I have seen the Japanese Zero that is on the hillside just below the trail.
Sally, the remnants of the B-24 make that trail an interesting hike. Great photos.
Beautiful pictures and great information about this treasure of a park. Someday I will get there to see it myself I hope. Thanks for sharing this.
Morning Sally,
I truly think you missed your real calling. The photos you provide and the detail you write is more then an armature effort. What a nice pass time it would be for you to write and be published when you retire from this profession that you also enjoy immensely. My observation anyway!
That last photo looks like you are over looking a mountain top. Reminds me of when we went to NH and went to the top of the mountain.
Neal: Aiea Heights Drive goes up to the top of the mountain...yup...we were way up there :)
Harold: I appreciate that Hal. I have been having a good time writing and such...most people don't know about the 'inside' things here ...other than local girls in hula skirts and running around on the beach barefoot with Mai Tai in hand :)
Aloha Sally,
Spectacular photos, beautiful presentation. Dating back to the 16th century, yikes!
William: I've never seen it...I just researched and learned something new myself!
Debe: Believe me ...it is!
Jeff: You need to stick around and continue with your info...you give great info for the consumer for sure!
Christina: Well, get your paperwork ready, hop on a plane and voila!
Randy: Not sure if it's the same area you're talking about but there is a list of crash sites for Japanese Kanbaku here:
http://www.j-aircraft.com/research/jimlansdale/ph_crashsite/ph_crash_4.html
Pretty interesting....sounds like something else to get involved in and take a look around...
HI SALLY!
Absolutely gorgeous pictures! Thank you so much for sharing!
Thanks for enjoying them too!