Haunted Pu’u o Mahuka Temple

Posted: 05.19.2021 | Updated: 05.21.2025

Perched high above Waimea Bay on Oahu’s north shore, the Pu’u o Mahuka Heiau stands proud. A silent sentinel of Hawaii’s past, this sacred site is the island’s largest heiau (temple/place of worship). It spans nearly two acres and may be over 400 years old. With such a rich history as a religious location for the Hawaiian people, it’s no surprise that it has a story to tell.

Take Honolulu’s most haunted ghost tour to learn about the injustices that invoked angry spirits, visit haunted places in Hawaii, and maybe see a ghost or two. 

Why is the Pu’u o Mahuka Temple Haunted?

The Pu’u o Mahuka Heiau was a special type of temple likely constructed in the 1600s. It was a center of both life and death. At this temple, the wives of ancient chiefs gave birth to their children, and at other times, the temple was a site of human sacrifice. 

Quick Facts

• A heiau is a sacred site for religious rites.
• The Pu’u o Mahuka is a specific type of heiau: a luakini.
• The heiau spans nearly two acres.
• The great King Kamehameha I and his personal priest, Hewahewa, used this site.
• Human and animal sacrifices were performed at this heiau.

History of Heiau

To understand the religious significance of this historical landmark, let’s first discuss heiau. 

In the traditional Hawaiian religion, Heiaus were sites where mana, or divine energy, was transferred and concentrated through rituals and prayers. 

Elaborate structures were not required for every ritual, of course. Many simple rituals could be performed anywhere the location allowed. Slightly more intricate rituals could be performed by a single person or a small group with a shrine. These shrines may have been as simple as a single stone or a small altar.

However, the kahuna performed much more elaborate rituals. This is where the larger heiau came into play. These large religious sites were necessary for these spiritual practices.

There are several different types and sizes of heiau. Each heiau is designated for serving particular purposes, though notes throughout history indicate the cross-function of certain sites.

The Pu’u o Mahuka Heiau is known as a luakini or po’okanaka heiau. This is the largest and most impressive type of heiau, reserved for the most intricate of practices. While larger heiau could only be built by ali’i (chiefs), luakini heiau could only be built by ali’i ‘ai moku (district chiefs).

These luakini were explicitly reserved for one purpose: human and animal sacrifice. These rituals were generally dedicated to the war god Ku. They reinforced the ali’i ‘ai moku’s power over his lands and his authority over his people’s lives and deaths. 

Pu’u o Mahuka Heiau

The Pu’u o Mahuka Heiau was most likely built in the 1600s. It measures approximately 575 feet by 170 feet and comprises three adjoining enclosures. Out front, there lies an altar that’s often covered in flowers and fruit, offerings by Native Hawaiians and locals. 

Historians have studied the heiau and concluded that the eastern enclosure was most likely constructed first, while the other two enclosures were probably added later, in the 1700s.

The heiau may have also served as a communication center with the island of Kauai, as it had a direct view of the island and ties with various heiau. This meant Hawaiians could use signal fires to communicate with the other islands.

In 1795, King Kamehameha I conquered Oahu. His priest, Kahuna Nui Hewahewa, continued to conduct religious ceremonies at the heiau. But, in 1819, King Kamehameha died of an incurable illness. His son and heir, Liholiho, then abolished the traditional Hawaiian religious structure and ordered all heiau to be destroyed. 

What remains of the temple is now a National Historic Landmark located in the Pu’u o Mahuka Heiau State Historic Site. 

Hauntings at the Pu’u o Mahuka Heiau

The legendary night marchers, or huaka‘i pō can possibly explain some of the eerie energy present at the Pu’u o Mahuka Heiau. All in all, the night marchers are a group of warriors who march across the islands at night in a procession. The sounds of conch shells, drums, and chanting often accompany them.

However, it is said that encounters with these night marchers can be dangerous or even fatal. Locals advise avoiding them and showing them respect by not looking at them. In life, these warriors reportedly traveled at night to protect important people who were considered sacred.

Regular people were not allowed to look at these sacred people, so they were met with death if they ever looked. For this reason, you should avert your eyes if you ever come across the night marchers.

The Tragic Voyage of the Daedalus

As far as we know, many sacrifices were made at the Pu’u o Mahuka Heiau. All of these lost lives may contribute to the hauntings at the heiau. However, not all of the sacrifices reached the same level of notoriety. One in particular stood out from amongst the many stories of sacrifice to the god of war.

In 1790, a merchant ship called Daedalus was hired to meet with Captain George Vancouver’s expedition at the Nootka Sound in the Pacific Northwest. Richard Hergest was appointed naval agent to the ship, much to the chagrin of both Hergest and the crew. A young astronomer named William Gooch also rode along, intending to become the astronomer for Vancouver’s crew.

The ship reached Hawaii in 1792. But before that, an Englishman in the service of the Oahu chiefs deserted Oahu and persuaded the captain of a nearby ship to fire upon the chiefs. This led to an immediate, intense distrust of all British sailors.

When the Daedalus arrived at Waimea in May 1792, Hergest, Gooch, and another seaman went ashore. Despite receiving advice from the Hawaiians not to, they walked the land. Warriors then took them away. It is believed that the men were sacrificed at Pu’u o Mahuka, but we cannot confirm this completely. What we do know is that these men did not survive this trip onto the land.

Haunted Oahu

Hawaii has a rich cultural and spiritual heritage, which is incredibly evident in the preservation of the Pu’u o Mahuka Heiau. This site has a strong field of energies that would entice any ghost hunter, but those who dare visit would do well to heed the warnings.

But, that’s not the only haunted locale Hawaii has to offer! You will find plenty of haunted locations on the opposite side of the island of Oahu, in Honolulu. So, what are you waiting for? Book a Honolulu ghost tour today!

Plus, you can learn more about the ghosts of Hawaii on our blog! There are plenty of stories to tell. You can also find us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

Sources:

• https://www.manoaheritagecenter.org/moolelo/kuka%CA%BBo%CA%BBo-heiau/what-are-heiau/
• https://www.nps.gov/places/mo-okini-heiau.htm
• https://www.to-hawaii.com/oahu/ancientsites/puuomahukaheiau.php
• https://www.nps.gov/places/pu-u-o-mahuka-heiau.htm
• https://kealakai.byuh.edu/hawaiian-legends-say-one-glance-at-the-night-marchers-could-mean-the-end-of-your-life
• https://www.mysteries-of-hawaii.com/blog/puu-o-mahuka