Kukaniloko Birthing Stones

What an honor to be able to witness this place! It's a sacred place for Hawaiian history and culture and I am so honored i got a glimpse of it. One hundred yards from the intersection of Whitmore Avenue and Highway 80 on the island of O'ahu lie a group of rocks known as the Kukaniloko Birthing Stones. This site has witnessed Hawai'i's royal births and powerful struggles for centuries, and which may have also served an astronomical function. When a new chief was to be born, the mother would be brought to the rocks and, under the watch of anywhere from 36 to 48 chiefs, the birth would take place. Most of the leaders were there to observe the births for the oral historical record, but a small number may have assisted with the birth. When the birthing was complete, the child would be swept away, not to be seen by the mother until they had reached maturity. This was practiced to reduce the chance of murder from rival chiefs.The important spot was also home to a number of battles between tribes that would decide the fates of their entire communities. Children born at Kukaniloko would learn leadership and the traditions of their ancestors at the sacred site and its surrounding lands.While the stones have been thought to have served a largely ritual purpose to native Hawaiians, recent research has uncovered patterns on the rocks that could have served an astrological purpose. It is now believed that the stones may have acted as a sort of Pacific Island henge.

A co-worker pointed out this sacred landmark as we were driving by one day. I took my mom's visit as an opportunity to see something other than the touristy stuff so we made it a stop while in the area. It's easy to drive by without noticing given the closed gate with "no parking" signs. One has to know to park safely on the road and walk past the closed gate to experience the birthing stones. There are no signs to indicate the history of the area which is a downside so one has to Google and read about it. As you walk down the dirt path you eventually run into a landscaped area bordered by rocks that contains the birthing stones and trees. There's nothing really to see beyond scattered stones while using your imagination in curiosity about what has occurred at this location. A site mentions a temple with a bell that would ring to announce the birth but it's nowhere to be found. A quick visit to see a piece of Hawaiian history. I give it three stars because while it's a landmark, it could do a better job at educating visitors. No signage, description, or images of what happened hinders the appreciation and knowledge of why it's a sacred landmark.

Before going to the gardens in Wahiawa, one of my friends had never been here so we stopped here before heading to the gardens to show her around. It is located at the light, in the intersection of Kam Hwy and Whitmore Road. It is marked by a King Kamehameha Marker. Park carefully along the side of the road, or park at your own risk in front of the chained, yellow gate. There is so much beauty and history in this lot. You walk down a short, red dirt path and then you will see the site. There are several other areas with stones. Also, I was told by someone awhile back, look out for the pregnant wahine (woman) in the distance.

Beautiful piece of Hawaiian history but you can no longer walk amongst the stones. I obeyed the sign that said not to go any further and wish I could have walked alongside them.

The Kukaniloko Birthing Site, or Kukaniloko Birthstones State Monument, is located between two mountain ranges, so the view is really something. The historical significance is that this place was the birth site for the island's high chiefs. The stones located in the area could have also been used to track movements of celestial objects, sort of like the Hawaiian version of Stonehenge or the Mayan calendar. Entry is completely free and there isn't really parking except on the red dirt road off the highway. It's worth it to visit and take in the raw beauty of the valley.

Can't really appreciate it because it's blocked off. It's off to the side at the light at Whitmore. You can try to stop and look but sometimes there is security sitting at there.

Parking: non-existent. Pull over on the side of the road and hopefully everyone is a competent driver. Location: easy to miss, on the side of the rode and not marked.Absolutely stunning view of the mountains in the background. Red dirt road to walk so carefully step to avoid red feet. Came here to experience the wonderful history and loved our time here.

Very beautiful sacred place. It's just off the side of the road with no signage, so as other Yelpers said, use your GPS, look for the yellow gate, and be ready to pull over and park on the side of the highway. The stones are a short walk from the gated entrance and it is small, but beautiful. Def worth a stop in to see this unique and well preserved part of Hawaiian culture.

I always heard of this place but never been here-I'm Hawaiian & lived on Oahu all my life. Heard the stories & read about the fertility stones / birthing rocks...but never anything more.After 2 years of trying to have a baby , I remembered this place. Told my fiancé, and decided to google map it- my fiancé and I went with a hookupukupu - placed it on the sacred stone, sang a mele And oli.2 months later I found out I was 6 weeks pregnant!!!At 8 months pregnant, we returned with flowers as hookupupu and added our pohaku to the wall.We will be back to bring our baby girl soon.( sadly & crazy thing is BOTH times we visited this place, tourist had their windows busted in & items stolen) We were surprised no one touched our truck cuz it's customized - it was right next to their car. Cops said the cars that get hit are "Rentals"So be careful.

I hesitate to write about this place as it is very special and I would hate to see it desecrated. But I reference it in another review, so I thought people would like to know about it. As you exit the Honolulu's corridor into central Oahu, you'll find a slow peaceful island life that harkens back thousands of years. Open fields of pineapple and mango perfume the air, cattle graze through wide-open fields. The echos of Hawaiian chiefs who ruled this land for so many centuries can still be heard in the whisper of the breeze.Past Wahiawa in a quiet field sits one of Hawaii's most sacred sites for native Hawaiians. At the Kukaniloko Birth Stones, beginning around the 1300's the highest priests and priestess' of the island were born. The site was so sacred that those born here were assured high ranking status throughout their lives. Welcomed to the site by gentle flowers, down a path of red soil, the giant volcanic rocks guide the visitor to the actual birthing stones which sit majestically in a huge open space . One can imagine the surrounding eucalyptus trees and palm fronds clapping with joy in the gentle breeze at the arrival of the new born. The stones on either side (left and right) facing north are where 36 chiefs sat to witness the birth. In the center, there is a backrest, a kuap'u which was the rock to lean against for the birthing mother.It is obvious that the native Hawaiians lovingly care for and honor this site with their offerings, but guests are asked to respect the site by not leaving items or climbing on the stones. To get there:Directions: Take H1 (west) H2 H2 to exit 8 (Wahiawa)Continue through Wahiawa on Kamehameha Highway until reaching Whitmore.Turn Left on Whitmore into the pineapple fields; the stones themselves are a few yards up.