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Keaiwa Heiau State Recreation Area
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PHOTOS |
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Click on a thumbnail to
see a larger version of the photo |
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OVERVIEW |
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Keaiwa
Heiau State Recreation Area is a 384-acre
park located approximately 12 miles from
Waikiki. Keaïwa Heiau is located at the park
entry. Continue along the paved park road to
the campgrounds, picnic areas, and trailhead
for the 'Aiea Loop Trail.
Groves of Norfolk pines and eucalyptus trees
create a forest recreation environment on
the hills above the town of 'Aiea and Pearl
Harbor. A resident caretaker near the front
gate should be contacted in the event of
emergencies.
There are 4 campsites available for tent
camping from Friday through Wednesday.
Camping permits may be obtained from the
State Parks office in Honolulu (587-0300).
There is a fee of $5.00 per campsite per
night payable in cash. Several picnic areas
with tables are found along the paved
roadway in the park. Some include covered
pavilions with barbeque grills and restrooms
nearby.
The 'Aiea Loop Trail is 4.8-mile trail that
begins and ends in the park. This trail runs
along the ridge on the west side of Halawa
Valley and offers views from Pearl Harbor (Pu'uloa)
and the Wai'anae Range to Honolulu and
Diamond Head (Le'ahi).
Much of this area was replanted by foresters
in the late 1920s. The lemon eucalyptus
trees give the air a light citrus fragrance.
Stands of Norfolk Island pine trees mark the
lower end of the trail. Look for the native
koa and ohi'a trees as you reach Pu'u Uau,
the high point about midway along the length
of the trail. You might also see remnants of
a B-24 bomber that crashed in 1944.
Keaiwa Heiau is a medicinal or healing heiau
(temple) known as a heiau ho'ola. At this
site, the kahuna (priest, expert)
specializing in healing would diagnose and
treat various illnesses and injuries. The
kahuna would also train haumana (students)
in the practice of la'au lapa'au, medicinal
healing using plants, fasting, and prayers.
Many of the plants and herbs were collected
from the neighboring forest while others
were planted around the heiau.
The name Keaiwa has been translated as
mysterious or incomprehensible. Perhaps,
this name refers to the fact that one could
not explain the powers of the kahuna and the
herbs used in healing.
It is unknown when this heiau was built but
one source suggests that it was constructed
in the 16th Century by Kakuhihewa, an ali'i
(chief) of O'ahu, and his kahuna Keaiwa. The
4-foot high stacked rock wall encloses the
sacred area that measures 100 by 160 feet.
Within the enclosure was a halau (large
thatched structure) built for the master
kahuna to store the medicinal implements and
train the students. Other features might
include hale (small thatched structure) and
a puholoholo (steam bath). |
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DIRECTIONS |
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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. |
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HIKING
& CAMPING INFORMATION |
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Click Here For Hiking |
Click Here For Camping |
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WEBSITE |
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http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/parks/oahu/keaiwa.cfm |
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