With approximately 6,428 square miles of land between Hawaii’s eight main islands, there are countless places to explore – and hidden gems to discover – across the beautiful Aloha State. Some of these hidden gems are often secluded but still found on Google Maps. There are other hidden gems, however, you aren’t likely to find exact directions to, like these 11 magical places hiding across the Hawaiian Islands.
- Beginning of the Haiku Stairs
Shawn Clover/Flickr Also known as the Stairway to Heaven, this hike is extremely difficult, illegal and dangerous. With 3,922 steps, the stairs were built to access the Haiku Radio Station, a top secret U.S. Navy facility, which was decommissioned in the 1950s. Though it is perhaps the most famous hike in the country, the stairs have been neglected, and you won’t find the entrance to the stairs on any standard map.
- King Kamehameha’s Burial Site
Wally Gobetz/Flickr The burial chamber of King Kamehameha, who died in 1819, has never been located. In addition to his corpse is a great treasure – including jewels, diamonds, pearls, and elaborate warrior robes decorated with the feathers of now-extinct birds. Rumor has it that the burial is in a rainforest cave…
- Red Hill Underground Fuel Storage Facility
U.S. Pacific Fleet/Flickr Inside red hill, 450 feet below the surface, runs a train that services twenty fuel tanks that were built to withstand attacks during WWII. The former top-secret engineering feat is currently off limits to the general public, following 9/11.
- Golden Ponds of Keawaiki
Rosa Say/Flickr In the middle of a massive lava field on the Big Island’s Kohala Coast is this pair of freshwater pools, home to a thriving population of golden algae that gives the pools a luminescent glow.
- Waimea Valley Ampitheatre
Daniel Ramirez/Flickr Wooden benches that are slowly rotting away, set in a picturesque forest. If only you could still visit this beautiful amphitheater to take in a low-key production in a beautiful setting.
- Mount Waialeale’s Abandoned Tunnels
Miquel Vieira/Flickr In the 1920s, tunnels were hand dug out of the mountainside in order to divert millions of gallons of water to sugar crops. Carved out of solid rock, the abandoned tunnels can be accessed via an unmarked - and incredibly muddy - trail.
- Oahu’s Mermaid Cave
LifTNG Aloha/Facebook While many people have heard of the mermaid cave, not many have actually been there, or even know where it is. Rumor has it that this luminous cave is located on Oahu’s leeward coast, and if you’re able to find it, or have someone take you there, you are sure to create a memory that will last a lifetime.
- Maui’s Heart Rock
Rachel Follett/Flickr While I can easily deduce that this charming heart-shaped cutout is near the Nakalele Blowhole, you won’t find “Maui Heart Rock” on any traditional map.
- The Tantalus Treehouse
Pihana Kea/Facebook Found somewhere near the summit of Mount Tantalus is this picturesque spot of paradise. Rumor has it the treehouse has been torn down, but I was unable to confirm, since it is such a secret anyways.
- Uluwehi Falls
Christopher/Flickr Often referred to as Secret Falls, this beautiful waterfall will require substantial work to reach – but we think it’s totally worth it. Located up the Wailua River, you will need to either rent kayaks or book a guided tour to reach the trailhead. Then, you have to complete the 45-minute hike through the muddy jungle to reach the falls.
- Kaniakapupu Ruins
Miyashiro/Flickr More commonly known as King Kamehameha III’s summer home, the Kaniakapupu Ruins date back to 1847, and were only used for a few decades before being abandoned and reclaimed by nature. The grass roof is long gone, and all that remains are a few walls, the main entrance, a few windows - and lots of crumbling stone - somewhere near Lulumahu Falls and the Pali Highway. Unfortunately, you are not allowed to visit the ruins and must simply admire this stunning piece of Hawaiian history in photographs.
What other hidden Hawaiian gems are you unable to find on a map? While these 17 little-known beaches and these 19 hidden gems may be featuredWith approximately 6,428 square miles of land, there are countless places to explore – and hidden gems to discover – throughout Hawaii, many of which you won’t find on Google Maps. on maps, they are still worth a visit.
Shawn Clover/Flickr
Also known as the Stairway to Heaven, this hike is extremely difficult, illegal and dangerous. With 3,922 steps, the stairs were built to access the Haiku Radio Station, a top secret U.S. Navy facility, which was decommissioned in the 1950s. Though it is perhaps the most famous hike in the country, the stairs have been neglected, and you won’t find the entrance to the stairs on any standard map.
Wally Gobetz/Flickr
The burial chamber of King Kamehameha, who died in 1819, has never been located. In addition to his corpse is a great treasure – including jewels, diamonds, pearls, and elaborate warrior robes decorated with the feathers of now-extinct birds. Rumor has it that the burial is in a rainforest cave…
U.S. Pacific Fleet/Flickr
Inside red hill, 450 feet below the surface, runs a train that services twenty fuel tanks that were built to withstand attacks during WWII. The former top-secret engineering feat is currently off limits to the general public, following 9/11.
Rosa Say/Flickr
In the middle of a massive lava field on the Big Island’s Kohala Coast is this pair of freshwater pools, home to a thriving population of golden algae that gives the pools a luminescent glow.
Daniel Ramirez/Flickr
Wooden benches that are slowly rotting away, set in a picturesque forest. If only you could still visit this beautiful amphitheater to take in a low-key production in a beautiful setting.
Miquel Vieira/Flickr
In the 1920s, tunnels were hand dug out of the mountainside in order to divert millions of gallons of water to sugar crops. Carved out of solid rock, the abandoned tunnels can be accessed via an unmarked - and incredibly muddy - trail.
LifTNG Aloha/Facebook
While many people have heard of the mermaid cave, not many have actually been there, or even know where it is. Rumor has it that this luminous cave is located on Oahu’s leeward coast, and if you’re able to find it, or have someone take you there, you are sure to create a memory that will last a lifetime.
Rachel Follett/Flickr
While I can easily deduce that this charming heart-shaped cutout is near the Nakalele Blowhole, you won’t find “Maui Heart Rock” on any traditional map.
Pihana Kea/Facebook
Found somewhere near the summit of Mount Tantalus is this picturesque spot of paradise. Rumor has it the treehouse has been torn down, but I was unable to confirm, since it is such a secret anyways.
Christopher/Flickr
Often referred to as Secret Falls, this beautiful waterfall will require substantial work to reach – but we think it’s totally worth it. Located up the Wailua River, you will need to either rent kayaks or book a guided tour to reach the trailhead. Then, you have to complete the 45-minute hike through the muddy jungle to reach the falls.
Miyashiro/Flickr
More commonly known as King Kamehameha III’s summer home, the Kaniakapupu Ruins date back to 1847, and were only used for a few decades before being abandoned and reclaimed by nature. The grass roof is long gone, and all that remains are a few walls, the main entrance, a few windows - and lots of crumbling stone - somewhere near Lulumahu Falls and the Pali Highway. Unfortunately, you are not allowed to visit the ruins and must simply admire this stunning piece of Hawaiian history in photographs.
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