In ancient times, this site was called Ka Lae O KeAlohi, the point of shimmering light.  An elevated peninsula overlooking Kaneohe Bay.  This is sacred ground, the site of an ancient Hawaiian Heiau, Kalae'ula'ula. The Heiau was destroyed in the 1800s, but the essence of this special place still remains and endures. The park serves as the Friends' natural and cultural classroom.  Within the park and a one-half mile radius, one can study a mountain stream, wetland, fishpond, coral reef, and historic site. Overlooking Kaneohe Bay, the Koolau mountain range and the He’eia Fishpond, the views from the Ke Alohi Point are simply breathtaking.

The He'eia Fishpond, "Loko I'a O He'eia", can be seen from the point.  A cultural artifact, the fishpond is a living testimony to the unique engineering capabilities of early Hawaiians. Using gravity flow, the pond receives the algae rich effluent form the taro patches.

Vision Statement

EDUCATION, PRESERVATION and CONSERVATION

The Friends of He’eia’s cornerstone is the educational programs. We provide interpretive programs and activities to organized school groups, community members and park visitors about the natural and cultural history of the Hawaiian Islands.

The Friends perpetuate the Hawaiian culture through interactive programs. These include canoe building, weaving and plaiting, language, music and dance, tapa making, traditional farming, fishing and medicinal practices, and shoreline fishponds.

Conservation and rehabilitation of the He’eia ahupua’a or watershed is our long-range vision.  This watershed is comprised of two valleys that once were a model of sound resource management and sustainability.  Hawaiians developed bountiful fisheries and used surface water to irrigate productive taro farms. Replanting native Hawaiian flora on the stream bed and monitoring water quality are some of the continuous efforts being made by the Friends in order to help restore our ahupua’a.

Mission Statement

The Purpose of the Friends of He'eia State Park is to provide the community (adults and children) with educational and interpretive programs to help them better understand the valuable natural and cultural resources of the Koolaupoko area and Kaneohe Bay.

We do this though interpretive programs in the Environmental Sciences, teaching classes in marine biology, botany and Hawaiian studies. It is our fundamental mission to encourage youth to consider careers in science.

We also hope to rekindle interest in ancient practices of the Hawaiians to offer solutions for modern day problems occurring in the areas of land and water management.  By creating opportunities for students and adults to have positive experiences in nature, the Friends hope to personally involve the residents in helping to take care of their community.

Finally, we believe that through these programs, we can help to create an environmentally literate society, which will begin to address the threats to our natural environment.

About Us