Halawa Heiau

Keaīwa Heiau State Recreation Area is a state park on Aiea Heights Drive, and Keaīwa Heiau stands at the park entry. Keaīwa is a healing heiau, a heiau hoʻōla, where kahuna who specialized in healing diagnosed and treated illnesses and injuries and trained students in medicinal healing with plants, fasting and prayer. The name Keaīwa has been translated as mysterious or incomprehensible, and it is unknown when the heiau was built. A stacked rock wall encloses the sacred area, so treat it with respect and leave the stones as they are. The ʻAiea Loop Trail begins and ends in the park and runs along the ridge on the west side of Hālawa Valley, with views from Pearl Harbor (Puʻuloa) and the Waiʻanae Range to Honolulu and Diamond Head (Lēʻahi). It is not strenuous, but it has gradual climbs, a steep switchback and a stream crossing at the end, and it may be muddy with exposed tree roots. Picnic areas with tables line the paved road, some with covered pavilions, barbecue grills and restrooms nearby. Dogs are not allowed in the park but may pass through on a leash to reach the trail, and in an emergency, contact the resident caretaker near the front gate.