manoa heritage center

Manoa Heritage Center was founded by Sam and Mary Cooke in 1996. Since then, the garden has been preserving native Hawaiian plants, and educates people about Native Hawaiian culture. The center is a nonprofit organization that is open to volunteering every week.

  • HEIAU

    This rock wall is an ancient Hawaiian temple called the Heiau. The rock wall acted as a compass in the past. The four corners each represent either North, East, South, or West. 

  • MAN MADE POND

    This waterfall and pond below it is man-made from a pump that connects to larger bodies of water. This was originally used to educate kids on how water cycles work.

  • ROCK CHECKER BOARD

    This game board is usually naturally formed and holds a local Hawaiian game that is similar to chess. However, this one is man-made and can be played with any rock pieces you find around the area.

  • BREADFRUIT TREE

    This tree is one of the sturdiest trees the heritage center has. It also provides the most food. The breadfruit can be used to make curry and mashed potatoes. The tree is very beneficial and very useful!

  • VOLCANIC ROCK

    These rocks with holes in them are volcanic rocks. The holes are formed naturally due to rainfall and the climate.

  • HAWAIIAN FLOWER

    A one-of-a-kind flower created by breeding two types of plants together. Manoa Heritage Center has many unique flowers just like this!

  • BREADFRUIT

    BREADFRUIT

    The fruit that is growing on this tree is called a breadfruit. It tastes more like a potato than actual fruit. 

THE COOKE HOUSE

The Cookes were the family that founded Hawaii. Mary Cooke, the last person to live in this house, passed away two years ago. She wasn't related to the original Cooke family that founded Hawaii, but her family created the valley that the Manoa Heritage Center is currently located in and started the preservation of native Hawaiian plants. No one lives in this house anymore, so the Center is now working to turn it into a museum with all the artifacts that they have collected.

800-year-old rock wall

Formed from a volcanic eruption, this natural rock wall is 800 years old. The wall is held together solely based on the friction between the rocks stacked on top of one another. The green moss-like plants that are seen on the rocks are naturally grown because of moisture. These rocks are beneficial to have in the environment as they attract moisture to the area.