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Kuilioloa Heiau
Located within the Waianae Leeward Region on Oahu
Oahu Heiau
Waianae Cultural Sight
If you’ve been researching different things to do in Hawaii, you may have already come across the term heiau, but if you haven’t, heiau can be translated to temple. This means that Ku'ilioloa Heiau is a site that was once a place of worship and a temple for ancient indigenous Hawaiians. Even more, interestingly, the term Ku'ilioloa has been translated to “the longdog Ku” and is believed to have been named after a dog that protected travelers.
The site is home to three platforms constructed out of rock and other natural materials and looks like a grassy platform. Ku'ilioloa Heiau was once a place for education for ancient Hawaiians, with lessons such as fishing and navigation taking place on its grounds.
Ku'ilioloa Heiau is especially interesting to visit as it lies with the backdrop of the stunning ocean, making it especially memorable and a great photo opportunity. Because of its proximity to the ocean, many visitors have been able to do some whale watching and dolphin sightseeing from the coastline!
Kuilioloa Heiau is located on the western coast of Oahu. Depending on where you begin, your journey to Ku'ilioloa Heiau will likely begin by heading west on I-H-1 West then taking Farrington Highway and Highway 93 West to Pokai Bay Street in Waianae. When you approach the opportunity, turn left onto Pokai Bay and you’ve arrived at Ku'ilioloa Heiau. The site is easily accessible by foot and is an easy hike to get to once you’ve parked.
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Trades are breezy right now with scattered showers on the windward side and mountains; the leeward coast stays mostly dry. Tomorrow stays breezy with the same pattern.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The exact track is still uncertain. If it comes closer, expect heavier rain over a longer stretch; if it stays farther out, impacts will be shorter and lighter. Winds will increase late this week, with potential gusts over 70 miles per hour on the highest summits.
Plan your leeward beach time and snorkeling for today through Tuesday. Save summit drives and offshore water sports for after Saturday, and check updates daily as this develops.
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Trade winds are pushing across Maui right now and staying breezy through tomorrow. Windward slopes and peaks will see scattered showers; the leeward side stays mostly dry. Rough seas mean a Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Tuesday evening.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The track remains uncertain. Late this week, winds will increase across Maui, with summit gusts potentially exceeding 70 mph on Haleakala. The Big Island—especially Hilo and Puna—faces the highest risk of heavy rain and flooding if the storm tracks close.
Leeward beaches and snorkeling work best today through Tuesday. Avoid summit hikes and offshore water sports Thursday through Saturday.
0:000:55
Voice
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Trades are kicking today with moderate wind and rough seas. Windward slopes will see scattered showers; the leeward side stays mostly dry. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Tuesday evening.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The track remains uncertain, but the Big Island faces the highest risk of heavy rain and flooding, especially in the Hilo and Puna areas. Summit winds could exceed 70 mph late in the week. Check forecasts daily as the situation develops.
Leeward snorkeling and beach time work well through Tuesday. Save summit drives and windward hikes for today or tomorrow, and avoid offshore water sports and high elevations Thursday through Saturday.
0:000:58
Voice
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Trades are steady now with scattered showers on the windward side and ridges; the leeward coast stays mostly dry. Through Tuesday it stays breezy with rough seas around Maui and the Big Island, where a Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Tuesday evening.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The exact track is uncertain. Winds will increase across the eastern islands late this week, with potential for summit gusts over 70 mph on Maui and the Big Island if the storm intensifies.
Get your beach and snorkel time in today and tomorrow on the leeward coast. Avoid summit hikes and offshore water sports Thursday through Saturday as conditions deteriorate. The track could shift significantly—check updates daily.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out