Lawai International Center
Spend a serene morning in Lawai Valley, a pastoral corridor that joins verdant hills to the beach where Queen Emma (1836–85) had a home. In 1904, Japanese plantation workers created a miniature version of the famed 88 temples of Shikoku so they could complete a sacred pilgrimage despite being far from home. This is the only replica of this temple route outside Japan and one of the country's oldest Buddhist sites. Ancient Hawaiians built a heiau (temple) in Lawai, and then each group of immigrants that followed––Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, and Filipino––built their own places of worship in this area known for its healing waters.
Engulfed by vegetation for decades, this hillside dotted with knee-high shrines was excavated and restored by volunteers, who now offer bimonthly tours. After a welcome of tea and manju (Japanese cookies) and a short presentation, you can borrow a walking staff to wind your way up an orchid-lined path for a silent stroll; be sure to peek into the handmade shrines that house small statues---some are historic, and others were made during the pandemic by Hawaii's most well-known artists. Afterward, visitors may enter the 13th-century-style Hall of Compassion, built without nails under the guidance of Japanese master carpenters. Reservations are required by phone, text, or email. Arrive 15 minutes early and wear comfortable shoes.
