Heeia State Park  | Hawaii |  | Honolulu County |  |
Guides |
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Address http://www.friendsofheeia.com/ 46-465 Kamehameha Highway Heeia, HI 96744 (808) 247-3156 |
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Take H-1 W to the Likelike Hwy. Stay on the Likelike for 8 miles, then make a left on Kamehameha Hwy, and stay on there for 2.5 miles.
Description:
Along the coast of windward Oahu, away from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki lies Heeia State Park, a small, pretty park, with lots of cultural value. The park commands spectacular views of Kaneohe Bay, its offshore islands and the breathtaking Ko’olau mountain range. It is situated on an elevated peninsular called Ka Lae O KeAlohi, which means "the point of shimmering light". Along with impressive views, the park features a community visitor’s center, run by Kaneohe community members. Below that are paths that lead down to even more impressive views of Kaneohe Bay, including the 90 acre Heeia fishpond. The pond is 600 years old, and was used to supply early Polynesian with fishs. There had been some talk about turning the ancient pond into a marina, but locals from the community protested, convincing the state to preserve the site for historical reasons. Further along the trail is the site of Kalaeulaula Heiau, a temple which was destroyed in the 1800’s. Though the temple no longer stands, it is still considered sacred ground.
Along the path is a wide variety of tropical plants. Palm trees heavy with coconuts grow alongside banana plants, breadfruit trees and a large monkeypod tree. The Friends of Heeia, the non-profit group that maintains the park, offer guided tours in addition to interactive classes on canoe building, weaving language and medicinal practices, all in order to educate the community and preserve the site’s cultural values. The park features full facilities and picnic tables. On the weekend, the visitor center hall can also be rented out for luaus. Whether you’re simply looking for a new place to picnic, or wanting to learn more about Hawaiian culture Heeia State Park is not to be missed. With breathtaking views of windward Oahu that can’t be beat, it’s easy to see why this was such an important place for early Hawaiian settlers.
Written By: Shiromi Arserio
Photo Credit: adobokimbap
Features
Bathrooms
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Picnic Area
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Walking Trails
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