Keaiwa Heiau (Aiea) Loop Trail

About This Letterbox

The loop trail itself is a 4.5 mile walk through mostly shady wilderness. There are several ups and downs along the trail, but no climbing is required as this is a completely graded trail. To find the letterbox itself does not require walking the full loop – this trek should be less than 2 miles round trip.

After finding the letterbox, you might wonder, "What the heck is up with this stamp?!" If that is the case, I suggest you continue along the trail for the entire loop. Take care to watch for the wreckage of a B24 Army Air Corps bomber that crashed on May 5, 1944 after taking off from Hickham Field. UPDATE: In January 2007, a finder of this letterbox reported that the plane wreckage is no longer visible due to a tree that fell in late 2006. Bummer.

Whether or not you decide to walk the entire trail, I would suggest paying a respectful visit to Keaiwa Heiau before leaving the park. It is located to the left of the entrance of the park as you drive in. Healers once practiced their craft here in this ancient Hawaiian ruin.

Getting There

From Honolulu: Take H1 West to Route 78 West (Moanalua Road -- exit 19B) to Aiea. Follow the "Stadium" exit straight up to the first intersection. Continue straight onto Ulune Street and follow to its end. Take a right onto Aiea Heights Drive, and follow this road all the way to the top of Aiea Heights.

Clues

1. Enter Keaiwa Heiau State Park and pass through the parking lot located by the heiau at the entrance.
2. Park in the next parking area you come to that is on the left. This is a set of angled parking stalls, directly across the road from a set of steps that take you down to a camping/picnic area. Lock your car and do not leave any valuables behind.
3. Climb down the stairs into the grassy camping/picnic area. You will see a restroom and some picnic tables.
4. Head down the hill, past the restroom and to the lower corner of the grassy area. This is the lower trailhead for the Keaiwa Heiau Loop Trail.
5. Follow the main trail past a hot, red dirt-covered clearing, and descend a slope of several switchbacks. Around the bottom of the slope you’ll find a small stream bed that has several large flat rocks covering the part that is crossed over by the trail. Depending on how much rain there has been, the rocks may be dry, or some water may be flowing over these rocks.
6. Continuing from the middle of this stream-bed, the letterbox hiding place is approximately 140 paces. Keep an eye out for a fallen tree trunk that has been cut apart so that hikers may pass through. This is the first of two such tree trunks. The second trunk is much larger, about 24 – 32 inches in diameter.
7. Pass through the second fallen tree trunk, and look down to your left, underneath the trunk. Large wood chips conceal your prize. Please be discreet when removing and replacing the letterbox, as this trail is well traveled by hikers and mountain bikers alike.

Disclaimer Courtesy of LBNA

Before you set out, please read the waiver of responsibility and disclaimer.
Please be sure to reseal baggies and boxes carefully so that they stay dry and rehide boxes in their original location, completely hidden from view.