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All 482 Island of Hawaii Attractions »

Mookini Heiau

Island of Hawaii, HI
808-591-1170
Ranked #129 of 285 attractions in Island of Hawaii
5.0 of 5 stars 5 Reviews
Description: Spiritual place thought to be the birthplace of King Kamehameha.
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5 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    4
    1
    0
    0
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Date Rating
El Cerrito, CA
Senior Contributor
27 reviews 27 reviews
Reviews in 16 cities Reviews in 16 cities
21 helpful votes 21 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 May 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
Senior Contributor
42 reviews 42 reviews
Reviews in 22 cities Reviews in 22 cities
13 helpful votes 13 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 6 March 2011
1
person found this review helpful

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
27 reviews 27 reviews
Reviews in 19 cities Reviews in 19 cities
23 helpful votes 23 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 22 January 2011
4
people found this review helpful

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
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
26 helpful votes 26 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 5 December 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

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West Coast Florida
Contributor
17 reviews 17 reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
77 helpful votes 77 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 October 2008
10
people found this review helpful

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

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