Kukaniloko Birthing Stones
Kukaniloko Birthing Stones
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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
216 reviews
Excellent
91
Very good
86
Average
27
Poor
9
Terrible
3
Fearless34083
30 contributions
Amazing how few tourists, or even residents, know about Kukaniloko, especially since it's right off the road from going up to the North Shore, past Wahiawa. Kukaniloko is an ancient historical site where royalty, or Ali'i, gave birth. It's only one of two royal birthing sites within the entire Hawaiian islands (the other being on Kaua'i). Long ago, ali'i would travel from afar, while pregnant, to give birth within the confines of the Kukaniloko area. An entire ceremony was performed where family and other ali'i gave support by standing in formation of the birthing event. The ali'i in formation are depicted at the modern Kukaniloko site by rock placements in a neat line. You'll see it there clearly. All other commoners were forbidden to enter the area within a radius of a mile or so, punishable by instant death. Kukaniloko was used up until the first foreigners arrived and then gradually stopped being used. The site was preserved through an endowment that allowed the land not to be wasted for pineapple planting and so till this day, the area has been left untouched, although restored. This is quite remarkable because there are very few untouched historical areas on Oahu, sadly. The actual birthing stone where the women sat to give birth is here too -- amazing. If you like history, then don't skip Kukaniloko. There's some display boards at the site and it's breathtakingly preserved and cared for.
Written June 20, 2005
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.
Cheryl B
Honolulu, HI426 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
I am hesitant to recommend Kukaniloko. This is an ancient place of great importance to Kanaka of the islands. IF you do choose to visit, it should be done with the utmost reverence and respect as it is still used to this day. There is now an outer boundary to the birthing stones and one should not cross over them without permission and understanding of the protocol that exists. Saying this 4/2019 but not sure what will happen next to the area as the Office of Hawaiian Affairs is now the carekeeper. Please just be very respectful, learn the history before going and continue your learning of O`ahu after.
Written April 23, 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.
Katie McFreeman
Tampa, FL93 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
My husband and I came to Oahu for our honeymoon. He lived here before but left 9 years ago. He explained that you use to be able to walk up to the stones and that there was a lot of powerful energy believed to be in the area.
I know it sounds silly, but I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and suffer from infertility. My husband and I have been praying for a baby and I got it in my head that if I could pray by the stones, it would somehow help. Silly, I know. But my heart was drawn there for that reason. Oh well. :/
I know it sounds silly, but I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and suffer from infertility. My husband and I have been praying for a baby and I got it in my head that if I could pray by the stones, it would somehow help. Silly, I know. But my heart was drawn there for that reason. Oh well. :/
Written July 15, 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.
Pittsburgh_cyclist
Pittsburgh, PA601 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
There is a tradition in the Celtic church that you find a holy place and then build a church there. I was reminded of that when I visited the Birthing Stones. It’s a beautiful and surprisingly peaceful spot, considering it’s proximity to the highway.
Parking isn’t a problem - the highway has a broad shoulder - and it only takes a few minutes to walk to the Stones.
Parking isn’t a problem - the highway has a broad shoulder - and it only takes a few minutes to walk to the Stones.
Written April 15, 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.
Diana808
Honolulu13 contributions
Oct 2013 • Family
This is an easily accessible archaeological site where you will experience Hawaiian mana (spiritual energy) in the form of pohaku (stones) set on an open plateau guarded by the Waianae Mountains. It is a peaceful area fairly near the gift shops of Dole Plantation, but worlds away in atmosphere. It helps to know something about this site before you go as the signage is minimal. Find information by searching: Hawaii State Park Birthing Stones. This site also contains a link to a brochure about the birthing stones.
Written November 26, 2013
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.
C0dys_Dad
San Diego, CA275 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
This spot is an oasis of beauty and quiet in an otherwise hurried and busy area of the island. Of our party I was the only one with a real hankering to see the stones. I had done my research - the chief’s wife would come early to ensure she delivered here. They weaved mats so there was not direct contact with the stone. The priests would prepare ceremonial knives nearby to “cut the cord”. There isn’t a lot to find, but there was some. The spot is solemn, and has good views of the mountains to the north, our day had a magnificent cloud spilling over the mountains. I took a video just to record the sound of the breeze. There are no guides, no plaques, just a spot to feel the rhythm of nature as it was felt 100 years ago. If that is not your speed, you should keep going to another spot. If that is your speed, this place reverberates with natural beauty.
Written June 19, 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.
Blondie1891
Richmond, VA41 contributions
Apr 2018 • Family
Very pretty site. We went after the sun set and it was raining but the site was worth the stop if you enjoy history and do research on the site. Little to see other than rocks. You should respect the barrier to the rocks to preserve the site and respect the significance to the Hawaiian culture.
Written April 11, 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.
kesrya
Catonsville, MD351 contributions
Feb 2016 • Family
As a two time home birthing mama, I just had to visit once I learned of this place.
It's really hard to find, and when my GPS told me to turn onto the dirt access road, I thought I was in the wrong spot. Parking is extremely limited, so I actually had to pull off onto a grassy spot on the side of the road near the stop light that is at the intersection and walk back.
There is a long, red dirt walk to the actual stones. The walk is lined with stones itself, so don't be fooled into thinking those are the birthing stones.
There is no information about the stones on site other than a tiny plaque telling you that it is the birthing stones, so learn the history of them before you go. The website I found them on explained that the royal Hawaiians felt this place had strong mana (powerful magic), and that most royal babies were born here in August when the mana was the strongest thus imbuing them with powerful royal magic by which to make them great rulers.
I went with my 10 month old baby, so I'm hoping he sucked up some of the mana.
The place is beautiful and you definitely can feel the sacredness of it all around you.
It's not good for a stroller, so if you are taking your baby like I did, bring a sling or baby carrier.
It's really hard to find, and when my GPS told me to turn onto the dirt access road, I thought I was in the wrong spot. Parking is extremely limited, so I actually had to pull off onto a grassy spot on the side of the road near the stop light that is at the intersection and walk back.
There is a long, red dirt walk to the actual stones. The walk is lined with stones itself, so don't be fooled into thinking those are the birthing stones.
There is no information about the stones on site other than a tiny plaque telling you that it is the birthing stones, so learn the history of them before you go. The website I found them on explained that the royal Hawaiians felt this place had strong mana (powerful magic), and that most royal babies were born here in August when the mana was the strongest thus imbuing them with powerful royal magic by which to make them great rulers.
I went with my 10 month old baby, so I'm hoping he sucked up some of the mana.
The place is beautiful and you definitely can feel the sacredness of it all around you.
It's not good for a stroller, so if you are taking your baby like I did, bring a sling or baby carrier.
Written February 29, 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.
James P
Petaluma, California, United States65 contributions
Nov 2014 • Friends
50 generations of royalty born on them. Hard to find. Near the Dole plantation, had to ask a local as to where it was. Go down the dirt road and you go over the bridge. No signs or marking. Maybe they don't want people to see it. It rained that day, so there was mud everywhere.
Written December 5, 2014
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.
Mike P
Anchorage, AK1,729 contributions
Mar 2014 • Family
Having driven by the site for several days, we chose to stop and were glad we did. You will want to read the small interpretative plaque at the beginning of the trail. The stones are not the big stones you see from the road, you need to walk past those and dog leg to the right. The stones are not visible from the road.
Written March 26, 2014
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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