Kaneana Cave is a hidden power spot on the west coast of Oahu.
Because there are two caves here, Upper Makua and Lower Makua, they are collectively known as Makua Cave, but generally it is called Kaneana Cave.
Lower Makua, which is popular as a tourist destination, is a cave about 11 meters high, 6 meters wide, and 150 meters long, believed to have been formed by seawater erosion about 150,000 years ago.
On the other hand, Upper Makua is a spectacular trekking spot known only to those in the know, and compared to Lower Makua, it feels like a small hollow.
This Kaneana Cave is also said to be a cave where the souls of the deceased pass through, and it is believed to be overflowing with sacred energy.
It is not an area that tourists often visit, but if you are interested in hidden power spots, please be sure to check it out.
Upper Makua at Kaneana Cave
Upper Makua is a fairly steep trail course.
To get to the entrance, walk north along the road from the parking lot for about a minute.
Around the area where there are a few road signs, there is a track in the tall grass. Enter there and follow the path to reach the cave.
Along the way, the path splits into a continuous steep uphill path and a path that turns to the right, so go to the right.
It takes about 20 minutes one way to arrive, but since it is slippery and a very steep hill, it can be said that it is for advanced hikers.
By the way, Upper Makua is restricted from entry due to environmental protection and safety reasons, so climbing is at your own risk!
The inside of this cave is also called the womb of the earth, and it is said that people in the past meditated in this place to gain energy.
There are various legends, such as that dwarf spirits live deep inside, or that it is connected to the North Shore.
Lower Makua at Kaneana Cave
Lower Makua is easily accessible, making it popular as a tourist destination.
When you park your car in the parking lot, there is a guardrail on the opposite side, and the cave is located beyond that.
You can also enter the cave, but it reaches a dead end after a depth of several dozen meters.
Incidentally, entering this Kaneana Cave was forbidden because Hawaiian legends say that a shark god named Nanaue lives there.
There is a terrifying legend of sacrifice surrounding Nanaue, which says that he usually takes human form but has a shark mouth on his back, and he would turn into a shark and eat humans lured into the cave. Because of this, it was once feared by the local people and considered a forbidden place (kapu) that should not be approached.
It seems that orb-like shapes sometimes appear when you take pictures inside the cave, but there is no need to be afraid of this!
In Hawaii, there is a belief that orbs are spirits, and it is considered very lucky to have them appear in photos.
If an orb appears in your photo, it might be a sign that something wonderful is going to happen.
Basic Information of Kaneana Cave
| Name | Kaneana Cave |
| Address | 86-260 Farrington Hwy, Waianae, HI 96792 |
| Map | |
| Business Hours | 24 hours |
| Holidays | None |
| Time Required | From about 15 minutes |
| Restroom | None |
| Parking | Available (Free) |
| URL | None |
Popular Articles with the Same Theme as Kaneana Cave
Complete Guide to Popular Spots on the West Coast of Oahu – Permanent Edition