Ulupo Heiau State Monument
Ulupo Heiau State Monument
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
24 reviews
Excellent
7
Very good
10
Average
5
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Poodletoes
Dayton, OH556 contributions
Jan 2020
We were looking for little places to go before our plane was scheduled to leave and stumbled upon the Heiau. Heiau are places of worship for the Hawaiians. Some were places of sacrifice. This was in a lovely setting back thru a neighborhood near a YMCA. Parking near the Y. The Heiau itself is now a large pile of rocks, at least to us uninformed people. There is a nice serene area to walk to the right and behind the Heiau with flowers, trees and a small taro pond. Many workers were taking care of the area when we were there. A very pleasant stop. You will not find gift shops or bathrooms here.
Written January 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KulaBob
Maui141 contributions
Dec 2015 • Couples
Some people are history buffs. Others like archeology. And don't forget cultural anthropology! I'm into all the above. Up Windward way there's a place with a sense of place. It's called Ulupo Heiau State Monument.
When the kids are burnt to a toast and need to get more out of their vacation than a plastic lei throw them in the rental car and go to Kailua. The journey takes you over the Pali Lookout where hundreds met eternity.
During the war of Hawaiian unification Kamehameha The Great drove the Oahu forces up this valley until backs to the cliff they made their last stand. A cache of 400 skulls found at the bottom attest to what happened.
Then it's down the Pali Highway into Kailua where you'll find a peaceful historical monument. There's Ulupo Heiau itself where you can walk around and take photos. Loi remain along with the taro that grew here.
It's a peaceful spot good for reflection. Yes, you can hear the cars in the distance, but for a little while you're transported backward through time. Think of the drums calling the faithful. Picture the moon breaking through clouds.
When the kids are burnt to a toast and need to get more out of their vacation than a plastic lei throw them in the rental car and go to Kailua. The journey takes you over the Pali Lookout where hundreds met eternity.
During the war of Hawaiian unification Kamehameha The Great drove the Oahu forces up this valley until backs to the cliff they made their last stand. A cache of 400 skulls found at the bottom attest to what happened.
Then it's down the Pali Highway into Kailua where you'll find a peaceful historical monument. There's Ulupo Heiau itself where you can walk around and take photos. Loi remain along with the taro that grew here.
It's a peaceful spot good for reflection. Yes, you can hear the cars in the distance, but for a little while you're transported backward through time. Think of the drums calling the faithful. Picture the moon breaking through clouds.
Written September 1, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sakadays
Kailua, HI12 contributions
Dec 2015 • Family
Grew up here, has been a part of my life since small kid time, just be aware that it is a sacred place. so don't take the stones or disturb their placement.
Written March 16, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LaBeau808
Hawaii115 contributions
Sep 2017 • Couples
Ulupo Heiau is a sacred place although you might not know it for the YMCA parking lot built over part of the grounds. Local Hawaiian cultural groups have worked very hard to restore the lo'i and kalo cultivation. It's worth a visit to appreciate the peek back in history.
Written November 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CHO1978
Honolulu41 contributions
Nov 2015 • Friends
If you're not open to Hawaiian history, you'll simply think it was a pile of rocks. If you understand the background of this sacred place, then you will really appreciate the "architecture" of this monument. Be respectful when visiting - it's not a playground. Definitely not a place to take little ones.
Written April 20, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kyle C
Munster, IN208 contributions
Feb 2016 • Couples
This one is easy to miss, so here is how to get there. Go to the YMCA in Kailua (The Kailua on Oahu, not Kailua-Kona on the big island). Drive behind the YMCA and find some parking spots. There is not a whole lot to do here, but you can walk around a fair bit. Down the hill you'll see some ponds, once used for irrigation purposes. The big foundation of stones is where the heiau was, or is. There is a marker explaining the significance of the site. I dig history so I enjoyed this, the more visceral types may not be as pleased as I was.
Written March 4, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aj J
32 contributions
Jan 2019 • Friends
This Heiau is a must visit for those visitors interested in the real culture of Hawaii.
25 years ago this was overgrown and the only thing to really see was the Heiau. Since then there is a Hui, group, dedicated to caring and restoring the grounds.
Definitly walk around and check out the Loi's where Kalo is grown and harvested.
I bring all my visitors here as well as just come photograph.
25 years ago this was overgrown and the only thing to really see was the Heiau. Since then there is a Hui, group, dedicated to caring and restoring the grounds.
Definitly walk around and check out the Loi's where Kalo is grown and harvested.
I bring all my visitors here as well as just come photograph.
Written February 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BoilerMakerBob
Greenwood, IN1,101 contributions
Jan 2018 • Couples
This ancient Hawaiian Temple overlooks the valley below that used to be the site of a fish breeding pond. It is hard to find but the markings have improved over the years.
Whne you pull into the parking lot of the Windward Shore YMCA, turn left immediately and drive down past the Y. There is parking available behind the Y and there you will also find the heiau.
Please do not walk out onto the stones.
But do walk around to the north side, in the valley.
Hard to find but worth it if you want to see a remarkable ancient heiau
By the way, there are restrooms inside the YMCA that they graciously allowed us to use.
Whne you pull into the parking lot of the Windward Shore YMCA, turn left immediately and drive down past the Y. There is parking available behind the Y and there you will also find the heiau.
Please do not walk out onto the stones.
But do walk around to the north side, in the valley.
Hard to find but worth it if you want to see a remarkable ancient heiau
By the way, there are restrooms inside the YMCA that they graciously allowed us to use.
Written February 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kimberley42
Portland, OR1,024 contributions
Dec 2017 • Couples
We really like exploring cultural sights around the islands and this Heiau is one of the best we have seen. It is interesting to think about how they were used in the past, but what is particularly special about this one is that the community is trying to keep ancient knowledge alive with native plant displays and taro fields. They are all well marked with signs. A little hard to find, but worth checking out.
Written January 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
johnlN8276DY
Kailua, HI42 contributions
Jan 2017 • Couples
Hidden in plain sight, the heiau is right along the main road heading into Kailua. A walk throught the grounds and down to the Kawainui marsh is peaceful and interesting.
Written April 11, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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