Flip through a travel mag, gab with a Maui resident, or ogle images of Hawaii on Instagram—chances are your vision will be arrested by the Valley Isle’s Seven Sacred Pools, a wonder of nature on Maui’s east coast that features a gorgeous set of tiered waterfalls.

But as stunning and powerful as the inaccurately-nicknamed Seven Sacred Pools (ʻOheʻo Gulch) might be, the Kipahulu hot spot doesn’t have the monopoly on Maui’s hallowed places. Indeed, beyond the postcard perfection of the island’s beaches, Maui is home to a number of exquisite sites that have long been deeply revered, many of which can be seen on Road to Hana tour.

Whether you’re hoping to connect with Maui in a meaningful way or are simply searching for attractions, here are seven of Maui’s most sacred spots—and the history behind them:

1 – ʻIao Valley

Iao Valley has a tendency to cast a spell on its visitors. Located in the central basin of the island, the valley dazzles with its heady greens and tropical flowers, while its needle—an erosional feature covered in lush vegetation—rises 1,200 feet from the valley floor. The views here are equally dramatic, spooling out towards the rugged coastline, out to the northern coast of the island, and up to the hypnotic West Maui Mountains.

But it isn’t just ‘Iao’s beauty that is so captivating: Mana can be felt here in spades—and it isn’t only in one’s head. In 1790, it turned into a theater of war in what was known as the “Battle of the Clawed Cliffs” (or the Battle of Kepaniwai), a three-day conflict, involving over 1200 soldiers and instigated by King Kamehameha, that marked an important step in Kamehameha’s campaign to unite the islands. (So vicious was this battle, it’s said that the ‘Iao’s “river ran red with the blood of the dead,” inspiring the valley’s nickname as the “damming of the waters”). On a cheerier note, it is also here that ancient Hawaiians came together annually for makahiki festivals that paid homage to Lono, the God of Agriculture.

Today, ʻĪao Valley State Monument draws visitors to its banks with its cool stream, abundant vegetation, and splendid vistas. Climb its paved walkway for the most remarkable views—and to imagine what the landscape must have looked like in a pre-united Hawaii.

Plan ahead: Out-of-state visitors need advance entry and parking reservations through the official state park reservation system. Hawaiʻi residents with valid Hawaiʻi identification are exempt. Stay on designated walkways and check DLNR’s park notices before visiting.

2 – Mokuʻula

In August 2023, wildfires devastated Lahaina. As the community continues its recovery, please respect residents’ privacy, posted restrictions, and the guidance of local cultural caretakers. Consider other West Maui areas and activities while learning about Lahaina’s history.

Before the 2023 fires, Lahaina was widely known for the boutiques, restaurants, and bars along Front Street. Its deeper history, however, centers on its role as a royal seat and a place of profound cultural importance.

This is an older photo of Mokuʻula. We do not have an updated image, as we are trying to be respectful of our Lahaina community and its ongoing healing and recovery.

The village of Lele, now known as Lahaina, served as the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii before the capital moved to Honolulu in 1845. Its royal complex included Mokuʻula, a small, sacred island within the fishpond of Mokuhinia, at the area later known as Malu ʻUlu o Lele Park. Considered a piko—or center of cosmic power—and deemed one of the most important archeological discoveries in Hawaii, the site holds a central place in the history of Hawaiian governance and spirituality. The pond was eventually filled, and the royal island became known as Maui’s “forgotten island.” An excavation performed in 1993 revealed the place’s historical significance, including a wooden pier believed to have been used by aliʻi when crossing the pond.

The earlier Friends of Mokuʻula organization is no longer active. In 2026, Maui County’s Department of ʻŌiwi Resources is leading a Lahaina Royal Complex Master Plan focused on cultural, ecological, and community healing. This is a long-term planning process, rather than an announcement that restoration construction or public tours have begun. Please follow official access guidance and the wishes of cultural practitioners and families with ancestral ties to this sacred place.

The site’s importance has long been recognized: Maui No Ka Oi reported that University of Hawaii–Maui College Professor Janet Six likened it to world-heritage sites such as Machu Picchu and told her students, “In the future, you’ll be telling your grandkids you worked at Moku‘ula.”

3 – Puʻu Kekaʻa

Located on the western end of one of Maui’s most acclaimed beaches, Kaʻanapali Beach, Pu’u Keka’a (commonly called “Black Rock”) is famous for more than its dramatic ocean setting: The lava promontory was known as ka-leine-a-ka-ʻuhane—or “leap of the soul”—for its designation as a jumping-off point for dying souls who were ready to vault into the next world. (To note: It’s believed that many battles fought on Maui were performed on the West Side because of its proximity to Pu’u Keka’a.)

Black Rock wasn’t just a place of departure, either: Maui’s last independent ruler, Chief Kahekili, was an avid cliff-jumper (a sport termed “lele kawa”) with a penchant for Puʻu Kekaʻa’s location; his insistence on leaping from its ledge only emphasized his regal status. Today, the surrounding beach offers views of Maui’s marine life, but this sacred place deserves respect beyond its recreational appeal. Avoid climbing or jumping from the rock. Ocean conditions can change quickly; heed posted warnings, swim with a buddy, and seek lifeguard advice before entering the water.

4 – Piʻilanihale Heiau

Technically known as Hale O Piʻilani Heiau, Piʻilanihale Heiau calls for a cliché—that is, this ancient Hawaiian landmark is a sight to savor. Located in Kahanu Garden on Maui’s remote east coast, Hana, construction on this massive place of worship may have begun as early as the late 13th century and culminated in the largest temple in all of Polynesia.

And large it is, roughly the size of two football fields, it was built in several stages and was named after Chief Piʻilani—a 16th-century ruler beloved for uniting the Valley Isle and encouraging peace and prosperity. Peering out upon the luxuriant fields of the National Tropical Botanical Garden—where you can view the biggest collection of breadfruit trees in the world—this venerated area is nothing if not a symbol of perseverance: its “thousands and thousands of carefully stacked stones were carried by hand from as far as Hana Bay, seven miles away,” writer Jill Engledow reports. Visit today and marvel at the thought that this now-quiet region was once one of the most vibrant hubbubs on the island.

Visiting respectfully: Check Kahanu Garden’s official visitor information for current hours and tour reservations. Online reservations are encouraged. View the heiau from designated visitor areas, follow staff guidance, and do not climb on or enter the sacred stone structure.

5 –  Haleakala

Haleakala’s magnificence is hardly hidden: Looming 10,023 feet above sea level, the towering beauty is a massive shield volcano. Its vast summit basin, commonly called the crater, was carved primarily by erosion and later partly filled by lava flows and cinder cones. Haleakalā is not extinct; it could erupt again.

Its scope aside, it was—and remains—a site of tremendous spiritual significance for Hawaiians. Having arisen from the Pacific more than a million years ago, its crater served as a place of worship, and ancient ritual sites have been discovered upon its rim; oral traditions also speak of sacred spots within the crater. (Additionally, legend says the demigod Maui lassoed the sun from the volcano’s summit.) It was also here on Alehe-la that Hawaiians came to hunt birds and camp out in caves and lava tunnels. Its significance as a sacrosanct spot persists: As Elizabeth Gordon explained while serving as the park’s cultural resources programs manager, “Hawaiians today use some of the same sites in Haleakala as their ancestors used for ceremonial purposes…It’s a vibrant, living culture.”

Experience its splendor by witnessing the sunrise from its slopes—or hike down to the crater’s floor, where the dearth of sound and unusual weather underscores just how extraordinary the “House of the Sun” truly is.

Sunrise planning: Advance sunrise reservations are required to enter the Summit District between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. Hawaiʻi time. The sunrise reservation is separate from the park entrance fee. Check current park alerts, bring warm layers, and stay on designated trails.

6 – Makaluapuna Point

Visit Makaluapuna Point in Kapalua and you’ll instantly know you’ve arrived at a consecrated site: Signs out front tell visitors that they’re entering “wahi pana” (or sacred spot) for kanaka maoli (native Hawaiians).

There’s no wonder why these grounds are so hallowed: the nearby Honokahua Preservation Site is the resting place of more than 2,000 Hawaiian ancestors. Their remains are known as iwi in Hawaiian. Entry to the burial preserve is restricted to those performing ceremony and protocol; it is not a sightseeing area. Use designated public paths and respect all signs and boundaries. (What is Dragon’s Teeth, you might ask? Its jagged coastal lava formations resemble fangs, shaped over time by exposure to the ocean and weather.) Makaluapuna Point is located close to the Ritz-Carlton chapel, rendering the region holy in more ways than one.

7 – Olowalu

Drive to Maui’s West Side and you’re sure to be spellbound by the views on the Pali, where sunlight sparkles on the Pacific, the outlying islands lumber in the distance, and the red-tinged cliffs remind you of the island’s fiery history.

You’re also sure to be awestruck by the sight of Olowalu—a small community recognized as much for its unique reef and superb surf as its strong sense of mana.

There’s a good reason behind its palpable spiritual power: Ancient Hawaiians considered Olowalu a place of refuge, a site where people who had committed crimes against others—including aliʻi—were deemed unassailable. And ghosts really may roam these parts: Olowalu is also the site of a 1790 massacre in which a foreign ship’s captain attacked Native Hawaiians. Today, it’s largely known as one of the best spots on Maui for snorkeling—its sacredness is also felt below the surface. Enter only when conditions are suitable for your ability, avoid murky water and runoff after rain, and never stand on or touch the reef.

 

On a separate visit to East Maui, you can view those aforementioned Seven Sacred Pools in Kipahulu. Its English name may be a misnomer—technically, the Hana-side region is ʻOheʻo Gulch, which translates to “something special,” and is comprised of more than seven cascades—but its greatness and godliness are unmistakable. The National Park Service says the pools are not accessible for swimming; view them from the Kūloa Point Trail and stay on designated trails. The mere sight of them will remind you why Maui is considered one of the most sacred and healing spots on the planet.