Article updated September 22, 2022
Travel west as far as you can go on O‘ahu and you’ll reach Ka‘ena Point. There, where the high angled rock touches the sea, ancient Hawaiians believed that after death, souls would leap and be carried to heaven.
For many generations, the Wai‘anae Mountain Range has stood guard over Ka‘ena. Yet unknown to many, just beyond the rugged peaks, a heaven-like place exists that residents call “a hidden gem”—it is Mauna ‘Olu.
If you were to stand in the middle of Mauna ‘Olu and turn in a circle, you would find 360-degree panoramic views of tranquil mountains, pristine valley, and ocean set far away from tourists and crowds. On misty days, the clouds and fog lay low, lending a mystical quality usually only seen in the movies. During winter’s heavy rains, more than a dozen waterfalls cascade from the tops of the western range. Waterfalls so close you can hear them from your window.
The valley is filled with tropical trees, flowers, and birds, including the majestic peacock. Here, in a reclusive garden, King Kamehameha in his last days worshipped at the Kane‘aki Heiau, restored by Honolulu’s Bishop Museum. The Ice Pond is nearby, and one can imagine Kamehameha taking a dip in the large, clear blue pool that appears during cooler months.
Quintessential Hawai‘i, Mauna ‘Olu is blessed with rainbows and sunsets. In late summer, when the green mountains transition to gold, sun dwellers continue to enjoy exploring the nearby trails, or the two-mile walk to world-famous Makaha Beach.
A gated and security-staffed community, Mauna ‘Olu offers privacy and safety. Residents and their guests only are allowed to traverse its grounds that provide natural beauty and solitude.
After passing the Mauna ‘Olu Estates security checkpoint, you’ll come across a construction development comprising 120 single family homes: Cottages at Mauna ‘Olu. In this *resort-zoned condominium community, 95 percent of the houses have been sold. To schedule a model home visit, contact mirabelhawaiihomes@gmail.com. And discover for yourself the area chosen by a king.
*One of only a few areas on Oahu zoned for SFH short-term vacation rentals.
Aloha Life & Style 