Keahiakawelo (Garden of the Gods)
Keahiakawelo
A red-earth wasteland on the northern highlands, strewn with wind-eroded boulders. It is often described as Mars-like, and it is especially spectacular at sunset.
The Garden of the Gods lies about 11 km northwest of Lanai City. It is a reddish-brown wasteland shaped by wind erosion and overgrazing, covered with weathered boulders and rock piles of all sizes. Its Hawaiian name means “the fire of Kaʻuwelo” and comes from a legend about a contest with a priest of Molokai. On clear days, you can see Molokai and Oahu in the distance. The site is reached via the unpaved red-dirt Polihua Road, and a four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended. The drive takes about 30–40 minutes. Do not move or stack the stones. It can be combined with a visit to Polihua Beach.
Opening hours
Open all day (daytime visits recommended)
Nearby sights
- Polihua Beach
- Lanai City & Dole Park
- Lanai Cat Sanctuary
- Lānaʻi Culture & Heritage Center
- Shipwreck Beach (Kaiolohia)
- Luahiwa Petroglyphs
- Munro Trail & Lānaʻihale
- Kaunolū Village Site