Keahiakawelo (Garden of the Gods) and Polihua, Lānaʻi

Keahiakawelo is a field of red, orange and purple rock formations about 4 miles from Lānaʻi City on Polihua Road. The first 1.3 miles are paved, then gravel; a regular SUV can reach Keahiakawelo, but continuing to remote Polihua Beach needs a real 4WD. Don't stack or take rocks; it's a culturally important place.

• Distance: about 4.2 miles from Lānaʻi City; about 10.8 miles (45 minutes) to Polihua Beach.
• Road: paved for 1.3 miles, then gravel and dirt; past Keahiakawelo it's loose cinder and steep, 4WD only.
• Please don't stack rocks or build cairns, and take nothing home. In Hawaiian tradition the place is tied to a contest between two kahuna.
• Polihua Beach: swimming is not safe (steep shore break, strong current, no lifeguard, no phone service).
• Swim and snorkel at Hulopoʻe Bay instead.
• Also on the north shore: Shipwreck Beach (Kaiolohia), with an old wreck offshore, reached by 4WD.

Sources: How to Live in Hawaiʻi: Polihua and Keahiakawelo by 4WD · HawaiiActivities: Lānaʻi day trip from Maui

Last checked Oct. 29, 2026. Hours, fees and rules can change, so confirm with the official source before you go.