CENTRAL MAUI - Maui: Including Molokai and Lanai - page 219

In ancient Hawai'i these two heiau served as the religious center of the entire Wailuku
ahupua'a , or land division. Many of Maui's ruling ali'i came here to either honor their de-
ceased or commune with religious deities. It's believed that Keopuolani, the woman who
would become queen, was born here at Pihana heiau, a site which is also believed to have
been a luakini heiau occasionally used for human sacrifice. Hawaiian scholars believe that
one of the last human sacrifices on the island was performed right here at Pihana in 1790
by King Kamehameha after his victory at the Battle of Kepaniwai.
Much of Pihana heiau was destroyed during the 19th century when the Hawaiian mon-
archy converted to Christianity, but numerous walls and terraces from Haleki'i still remain.
Treat this place with respect and leave it as you came. This is one of Maui's most access-
ible sacred sites, and one of the few heiau you can visit without a long walk.
To reach the heiau, travel along Waiehu Beach Road until you cross the bridge over
'Iao Stream. On the other side you'll make your first left onto Kuhio Place, and then the
first left again onto Hea Place. Since the access gate to the heiau will most likely be locked,
park your car on the street and walk up the access road.
MM Kahakuloa
Though technically Kahakuloa is part of Wailuku, this old fishing village is an entity all
to itself. Lonely and remote, there are few places left in all of Hawai'i that are quite like
Kahakuloa. Many choose to get to Kahakuloa from the west side of the island by follow-
ing the road past Kapalua, Honolua Bay, and Nakalele Blowhole, but because this road is
a loop, Kahakuloa can similarly be accessed from Wailuku. It will take you 30-45 minutes
to reach Kahakuloa from Wailuku—and there aren't any gas stations—so be sure you have
at least a half a tank of gas before venturing out into the wilderness.
As you leave Wailuku and gain elevation past the town of Waihe'e, the heavy local
presence is evident from the “Slow Down! Dis not America” signs. Watch for road bikers
as they come zipping around the tight turns, and if it's a sunny day, pull off at one of the
various pullouts looking out over the shoreline below. The view here is back at the North
Shore of Maui making this a calming place to watch waves crash on the undeveloped
shoreline.
Following Kahekili Highway (Hwy. 340) past Mendes Ranch and Makamaka'ole
Valley, the road becomes narrow and the foliage dense. The first stop you'll happen
upon is Turnbull Studios (5030 Kahekili Hwy., 808/244-0101, www.turnbullstudios.org ,
10am-5pm Mon.-Fri.), an eclectic sculpture garden that also features paintings and hand-
made crafts by local Hawaiian artists. The artist has been making sculptures at this moun-