How to Find the Lower Makua Cave (Kaneana Cave) on Oahu

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It took us two different tries, but we finally found the Lower Makua Cave!

The actual name of this cave is Kaneana Cave. However, there is cave above it known as Makua Cave or Upper Makua Cave. So, this one is often referred to as Lower Makua Cave.

Like many of the caves on the Hawaiian Islands, this cave is a lava tube. (We’ve only found one other lava tube on Oahu, near the Halona blowhole.)

In ancient times, this cavern was the site of religious ceremonies and rituals. It is named after the Hawaiian god of creation, Kane. It was believed that this cave marked the beginning of human creation.

Despite being right beside the road, it’s not easy to spot. Here’s how to find Lower Makua Cave:

The entrance to Makua Cave is roughly 100 feet high. — *(The cave is roughly 100 feet tall and 450 feet deep.)*

The Wrong Directions

*(These directions are not very helpful.)*

We knew that Lower Makua Cave is next to Farrington Highway. However, on a previous drive along the Leeward Coast we tried to find the cave, but never did.

Once again, we tried putting ‘Makua Cave’ into our GPS, but it didn’t take us to the right spot.

I know now that GPS took us a little bit past the cave. I think these directions get you close to the trailhead for Upper Makua Cave. But it’s not what we were looking for.

When I looked for directions online to Lower Makua Cave, they all said to park near the sign for Ka’ena Point State Park.

I STILL have not seen the sign they’re talking about.

This is what the entrance to Makua Cave looks like from the road. — *(This is what the entrance looks like from the road. If approaching from the south [right side of the picture*] *it is nearly impossible to see.)*

*(The entrance is much more obvious when driving south on Farrington Highway.)*

The Right Directions

How we finally found it, was by putting ‘Kaneana Cave’ into our GPS (just regular old iPhone maps app). And approaching it from the north side.

We were originally heading to Ka’ena Point State Park to take some pictures and wanted to stop at Makua Cave along the way. When we couldn’t find it on the way there, we decided to try it on the way back.

And it worked!

It was much easier to approach the small parking lot when travelling south. Once again, the GPS was slightly off, but I knew we had to be close. So we pulled off in the next parking area and it was the right one!

Lower Makua Cave is directly across the road from this small dirt parking lot.

The parking lot across from Makua Cave. — *(This is the parking lot directly across from the cave.)*

You get a glimpse of the cave from the road when travelling south. However, you cannot see the cave at all when travelling north.

There is a sign in the parking lot. However, it isn’t for Ka’ena State Park like the internet directions say. The sign says Kaneana, and there is a plaque beneath it, telling about the ancient Hawaiian legends associated with the site.

The sign across the road from Makua Cave. — *(This sign is not easy to see when driving by.)*

*(The sign is hard to see because of the dead bushes in front of it.)*

The plaque near the sign says:

Kaneana is a sacred ana (cave) that ancient Hawaiians named after Kane, the god of creation. From inside the depth of Kaneana, symbolic of the earth goddesses’s womb, mankind emerged and his existence spread throughout the Waianae coast. The souls of those who passed on go to Kalae o Kala’au (Ka’ena Point). From there, souls ascend to Po, the realm of ancestral spirits, completing the cycle of life.

In ancient times, entry into Kaneana was kapu (forbidden), for this was the home of Nanaue, the shark man of Kaneana.

The beautiful leeward coast of Oahu. — *(The view from the parking lot is beautiful.)*

*(You’ll have to go around the guard rail to get to the cave.)*

The cave doesn’t hold any religious status today and is freely accessible. It is well-visited and has been vandalized in the past.

I read online that it is sometimes a hangout for homeless people in the area. But it was empty when we visited. In fact, we had the whole place to ourselves.

It’s a fun stop if you’re ever exploring the leeward coast!