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Palapala Ho'omau Church
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Palapala Ho'omau Church

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Palapala Ho'omau Church
4.5
41 reviews
#3 of 4 things to do in Kipahulu
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Where Charles Lindbergh is buried.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
41 reviews
Excellent
20
Very good
15
Average
5
Poor
1
Terrible
0
RockoMcDuff
Prairie du Chien, WI63 contributions
More history here than you think
Feb 2020
A beautiful church built back in 1864 by missionaries. Rebuilt in large part by the Sam Pryor family and Charles Lindbergh. Both are buried in the cemetery located here. Sam was an aviation pioneer, a VP of Pan Am airways back in the day. During WWII, helped our spies, built secrets airports, and other war efforts. Buried next to Sam were his 6 pet monkeys. You have to research on your own because the information isn't there. But when you visit, you are seeing the graves of two men in a quiet setting; men who both have amazing histories.
Written February 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
psudino
Weehawken, NJ3,863 contributions
Well kept church, nice horse, neat trees and lots of history
Mar 2020
I'm glad that this was a stop on our tour because from the parking lot it looks like a small church and that's it. However, there is quite a bit of history here. I don't want to copy the content from RockoMcDuff's February 2020 review, since he describes the history well.

In terms of the other fun aspects of this place, there is an incredibly friendly horse that loves to be pet, a variety of really neat trees, the famous graves and a very well kept and beautiful little church.
Written July 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hamilton Z
Sun City, AZ284 contributions
Charles Lindbergh's Grave Site the end of a journey
Dec 2010 • Couples
Go out past Hana south about 8 miles to mile marker #41, turn is almost hidden on the left. The Palapala Ho'omau Church and grave site are on the ocean side of the highway. This church is famous as the first building to meet the sunrise on Maui, but to time it is hard if staying anywhere but Hana. The grave site and church are absolutely Gorgeous! The whole vista is surreal to look out over the ocean from his grave reflecting on what he did for us is a truely peaceful moment within our vacation. The world as we know it would not be here if not for Lindy, he did open the skies to us. Think about how Lucky Lindy was able to be able find this place for a final resting place is as unbeivable as the reat of his life. My father-in-law pass away several years back one of his final wise's was to find and visit Lindberghs grave. He had follow the Lindbergh story his whole life. Had numerous books, letters, pictures about him. So for my wife this was kind of a finally close the book for her dad. Many of you only know about his famous flight, but before taking this journey to his grave site try reading a little more about this man and his whole life. What a journey it most have been. While there be sure and stop and smell the flowers. In our fast and furious life style we sometimes forget!
Written November 1, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jerdc
Bay City, MI664 contributions
I Know Why Lindbergh Loved This Spot!
Sep 2012 • Couples
Sue and I decided to continue south from an Upcountry drive and take the treacherous Pi'ilani Highway to Kipahulu. The highway was crazy! Some stretches we had 6 inches to a foot from the edge of the cliffs which were 300 feet above the ocean. We finally arrived at Palapala Hoomau Church. It is a very quaint Hawaiian church which takes you back in time to a simpler time. It extremely beautiful for being so plain. The grounds of the church are very special for namely one reason. They are the resting place for Charles Lindbergh. Before you get to the grave you pass by the graves of Sam and Mary Pryor. He was president of Pan Am Airlines and close friends of Lindbergh. As you continuing walking you see the graves of Sam's six children. They were actually African Gibbons that he took everywhre on Maui. Finally, you come to the Lindbergh gravesite. It is very unassuming...just the way he wanted it. He was buried in a simple wood box. He could have probably survived his cancer longer had he stayed in New York but he loved his precious Maui and after walking the grounds overlooking the rugged South Maui shoreline I became completely aware of why Lindbergh loved this place so much. It is simply breathtaking. You will go out of your way but don't miss this place. It is special!
Written March 23, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Cindy C
Saint Paul, MN217 contributions
a gorgeous spot to reflect for a moment
This is an absolutely GORGEOUS spot, but it is also a good place to stop and reflect for a moment. Today the world is open to exploration by ordinary people in a way unimaginable when Lindberg made his famous solo crossing of the Atlantic in 1927. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to those early pioneers who pushed forward flight technology and then went on to map out routes that covered the world. This is a good place to stop for a minute, listen to the quiet sounds of the distant ocean, and think about how incredibly fortunate you are to be able to get to this place.
Written February 17, 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
maddie59
Oak Island, NC147 contributions
Nice Place
July 2007 - use the Maui Revealed book to find this place. If you are coming from Hana - the left had turn is kind of hidden. Just be watching for it with the mile markers. It is a pretty spot - not much else there though. It is worth a stop. Take the book's advice and from his grave (if you are facing it) walk to your right, through the little grassy area. Go to the far left corner and tnjoy the view. I have a excellent picture but its large than 2mb.
Written August 21, 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Robert P
Chesterfield, VA1,346 contributions
Interesting!
Aug 2019
My family visited the Palapala Ho'omau Church during our visit to Maui. It was one of the stops on the Road to Hana tour. I had always assumed the Charles Lindbergh was buried on the mainland.

The church It about 12 miles south of the town of Hana. It is well off the beaten path. It still amazes me that Mr. Lindbergh’s final resting place is in a tiny cemetery in an isolated place. The grounds are beautiful, and you can see the ocean from there.
If you are on the road to Hana it is worth a stop to pay respect to a great American.
Written August 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Caf80
Waco, TX356 contributions
Finally found it
Nov 2013
Mile marker 41 is gone, the turn off is at the Maui Stables sign with a tiny little beat up sign for the church. Or you can just follow the Valley Isle excursion buses. Very pretty place.
Written November 25, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jupitertravelguy
Oahu, HI10 contributions
The other side of Maui
After traveling the road to Hana we stopped to have a look at Lindbergs grave site and we all were in awe of the place. What a quiet,beautiful and peaceful place he chose to rest. The whole area of Kipahulu was such a treat if you want to get off the beaten path its a day well spent. We kept on going all the way around Haleakala and what a ride that was in our mini van. One lane dirt road along the ocean and finally ending up in the Up country. Fantastic day had by all of us
Written November 30, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
charaxa
Anguilla2 contributions
awesome
Sep 2015 • Couples
My husband and I and another couple set out early one morning in late 1978 to find Lindberg's grave. The people in Hana either knew little about the man and his burial site or were not willing to share the information at that time.
After searching for a good while we spotted a little church off the road, but had to go through 2 gates to get to it.... decided to trespass to check it out. Found a quiet overgrown cemetery to the side of it. Walked through another gate into the weeds and bush and started searching.... Found it! Through the large trees and shrubs at the edge of the cemetery we could hear the sound of the sea and got glimpses of it. Truly an isolated spot!'
After now reading a bit about Charles and his wife I more fully understand why this man picked this isolated spot for his resting place. May he now be at peace.
Written August 13, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Palapala Ho'omau Church, Kipahulu

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