Kukui Heiau

Kukui Heiau is an ancient Hawaiian temple site covering about 1.1 acres on Kauai, featuring preserved stone walls and overlooking Wailua Bay. The remaining structures show how the temple was originally built and used for religious purposes.

The site was built centuries ago as a sacred place for Hawaiian worship and remained important to the community through many generations. In 1987 it gained formal recognition on the National Register of Historic Places.

This site held deep spiritual importance for native Hawaiians, who gathered here to perform ceremonies and connect with their sacred traditions. Visitors today can sense how central such places were to island life and community bonds.

Access is through a public pathway between two neighboring residential buildings, making the site easy to find and reach. Wear sturdy shoes since the ground is uneven and walking over the ancient stone structures requires careful footing.

The temple grounds owe their survival partly to support from neighboring condominium developers who helped preserve this historic spot. This unlikely partnership between modern construction and cultural preservation shows how the site endured over recent decades.

Location: Kauai County

Inception: 1987

GPS coordinates: 22.05123,-159.32943

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:40