Pele's Chair

Pele's Chair (Kapaliokamoa), Oahu
Pele is Hawaii's volcano goddess. Located on Oahu's south shore is an interesting lava rock formation that overlooks the ocean. In the old Hawaii, this rock was called Kapaliokamoa, meaning “the cliff of the chicken.” When looking closely at this rock from a certain perspective, it looks a bit like a squatting chicken, hence this name. However, from another perspective it more looks like a chair and today it is commonly known as Pele's chair.

Pele created Oahu and the other Hawaiian islands by her volcanic activity, and it is believed that she was here right before she left Oahu to continue her work on the other islands. After she was finished on Oahu, she left her chair to head to Molokai and Lanai to continue there. The area where Pele's chair is located is indeed the youngest on Oahu.

The lava formation can be seen from the road to Makapuu or from the Hawaii Kai Golf Club. From afar it looks like a giant chair, but as one gets closer to it, it loses this appearance.

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Key Features of Pele's Chair
Sacred lava rock formation: Resembles a giant chair and is associated with Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes and fire.
Legendary resting place: According to Hawaiian mythology, this is where Pele sat before departing O'ahu for other islands.
Dual name origin: Traditionally called Kapaliokamoa (“cliff of the chicken”) due to its shape resembling a crouched bird.
Visible from highway and hikes: Can be viewed from Kalaniana'ole Highway and from the Makapu'u Lighthouse Trail.
Located in youngest volcanic region: Situated in one of O'ahu's most geologically recent formations.