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Mookini Heiau

Island of Hawaii, HI
808-591-1170
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Ranked #136 of 223 attractions in Island of Hawaii
Type: Religious Sites, Historic Sites, Landmarks/ Points of Interest, Monuments/ Statues
Description: Spiritual place thought to be the birthplace of King Kamehameha.
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6 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    5
    1
    0
    0
    0
Date Rating
Vancouver, Canada
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed November 15, 2012

We've been down the little road to Upolo Airport many times to see the wind turbines but never made that left hand turn to go to Mo'okini Heiau. As other reviewers have said, the dirt road is fine if it's dry, otherwise after some rain, it will be a mud pit in some sections. We drove our 2WD vehicle just... More

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El Cerrito, CA
Senior Contributor
35 reviews 35 reviews
12 attraction reviews
Reviews in 19 cities Reviews in 19 cities
25 helpful votes 25 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 17, 2011

Don't go there with your regular 2WD rental car. Well, you can drive most of the dirt road, but at some point you might need to leave the car parked on the side. We did. And walked about 15 mins to the Heiau, then from there continued on to Kamehameha's birthplace as well. But don't do it in midday sun.... More

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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Top Contributor
81 reviews 81 reviews
40 attraction reviews
Reviews in 38 cities Reviews in 38 cities
39 helpful votes 39 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed March 6, 2011

Read the history elsewhere. I'll tell you how to get there. Directions are nearly impossible to find. It takes patience to find this heiau. DO NOT ATTEMPT AFTER A RAIN OR W/O HIGH FOUR WHEEL VEHICLE. The road is deeply rutted in spots but w the right car you'll have no trouble. There are no markings at all for this... More

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Texas
Senior Contributor
36 reviews 36 reviews
3 attraction reviews
Reviews in 21 cities Reviews in 21 cities
28 helpful votes 28 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 22, 2011

I hesitate to write this review because part of the experience of visiting the Mo'okini Heiau is the solitude that you feel there. I would hate to see it overrun by tourist who have no respect for ancient things. Being there is a powerful experience no matter what your religion. There is a quietness there with just the sound of... More

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Madison, WI
Senior Contributor
22 reviews 22 reviews
3 attraction reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
28 helpful votes 28 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed December 5, 2010

One of the most powerful experiences I've had was on the north coast of Hawaii, at Mo'okini Heiau, a Luakini or place where tens of thousands of Hawaiians were sacrificed to the war god Ku. A large, barren, stark place, seemingly cold on the otherwise warm island of Hawaii, not many visit the place. The ones that do usually go... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
West Coast Florida
Contributor
17 reviews 17 reviews
7 attraction reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
84 helpful votes 84 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed October 8, 2008

Everyone who visits Mookini heiau comes away with their own unique experience. My entire 3 week trip to the Big island was all about visiting the heiau. I had done a lot of research about the place, read all the factual history, learned that the kahuna nui has a non profit organization, and was so moved by its history, I... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 14

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