Hawai'i is a beautiful place full of natural wonder and a rich history. With this rich history comes many cultural areas that have been put in place through out the islands. We as a 4x4 off-road community must recognize this and 4x4 with respect for culturally sensitive areas. Here are some helpful tips when planning or while on wheeling trip in our wonderful Hawai'i nei.

• Ask around, or search about where you are going to play. Some areas that are common for 4x4/off-road use are near or within areas that may have heiau or burial sites. example: Ka'ena Point, O'ahu - At the far end is a sanctuary that should be off limits to 4x4 use, stay in the areas outside of the rock walls at the end of the point.
  
  
• Burial Sites - Some burial sites maybe unmarked, some common Hawaiian burial sites are located in very large sand dunes and or cave areas. example: Polihale, Kaua'i - polihale is a very popular beach area with 4x4 access on the beach, but stay off of the dunes mauka of the beach. There are several burials in the dunes in the Polihale area, and they are not marked by any signs.
  
  
• Private Property - Have respect for others if you want respect in return. Private property should only be used for wheeling if permission has been asked. Don't go play in someone else's back yard.
  
  
• Hawaiian Ceremony - if you happen to come across a group that seems to be in the process of any cultural ceremony, be as quiet and discrete as possible. If approached be respectful and leave if asked to do so. We all have our own beliefs and all should be respected.
  
  
• Heiau - A Hawaiian place of spiritual/religious use usually encompassed by stone walls. Not all Heiau are well taken care of, some maybe be damaged from erosion or other means. If you come upon an area that has a stone clearing (floor) and a linear mound of stone (broken down walls), it maybe a a house site or a heiau. Either should be avoided if possible. If you happen to encounter one, be respectful. It also maybe helpful to notify someone of its possible location so that it can be confirmed whether or not it is a site.
  
  
• Ahu - A stone pile used for Hawaiian markers. Some Ahu are markers between districts, some are fishing shrines, etc. The size range can be from 4'x4' at the base to 15'x15' and anywhere from 3ft -12ft high. They will usually have some coral or other stone not from the local area along with the pile. If you happen to find one, please leave it be and go around it. Some of these are still used today. example: Ulupalakua, Maui - large ahu facing toward Kaho'olawe, is marker for rain could path connecting Maui and Kaho'olawe.