With an extensive history of exploration and discovery, as well as the monarchy and all related wars, it is no wonder that Hawaii lays claim to quite a few legends of buried treasure. From pirates burying treasure in mountainside caves to the burial site of King Kamehameha, these 10 lost treasures in Hawaii are hidden riches across the Hawaiian Islands are sure to leave you yearning for an adventure.

1) The burial chamber of King Kamehameha, who died in 1819, has never been located. In addition to his corpse is a great treasure – including jewels, diamonds, pearls, and elaborate warrior robes decorated with the feathers of now-extinct birds. Rumor has it that the burial chamber is in a rainforest cave…
Wally Gobetz/Flickr
2) A group of pirates allegedly buried six chests of treasure in 1823 at Oahu’s Kaena Point – supposedly near some walls of fitted snow on the top of a hill.
Ka‘ena Point, Ka‘Ena Point, Mokuleia, HI 96791, USA
Daniel Ramirez/Flickr
3) On the Big Island, on the north side of Kealakeku Bay, a hoard of treasure was buried inland – though no one knows if it was in a hill, an existing cave, or both.
Kealakekua Bay, Hawaii 96704, USA
Ed Suominen/Flickr
4) In 1790, the battle of Kepaniwai was fought at Iwao Stream, three miles west of Wailuku. King Kamehameha’s invading army slaughtered most of Maui’s warriors and dumped their bodies. It is said that relics and artifacts from the battle are hidden in the area.
Wailuku, HI 96793, USA
Angela Gonzalez/Flickr
5) Known as the Peruvian Treasure, a mass of treasure is rumored to be hiding somewhere near Honolulu.
John Fowler/Flickr

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6) Alfred Devereaux, a notorious opium runner who supplied merchants with goods smuggled from China, supposedly buried $100,000 in gold or silver coins on Kaho’olawe. He died under mysterious circumstances – perhaps by jealous smugglers who wanted his business?
Kaho‘olawe, Hawaii, USA
Justin De La Ornellas/Flickr
7) Legend says that a large portion of a successful businessman’s wealth was hidden in a cave on Ford Island – possibly in the Cave of Kings.
Ford Island, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI 96818, USA
U.S. Pacific Fleet/Flickr
8) It is said that $5 million in gold, silver, and other valuables was buried by English pirate Captain Cavendish near Palemano Point.
Paleman? Point, Honaunau-Napoopoo, HI 96704, USA
Public Domain/Wikipedia
9) When Captain Cook was killed by island natives in 1778, the ship’s treasures and weapons were buried, because their king thought the items were magic. The stash has not been recovered, and is allegedly still hidden on Kauai.
Kauai, Hawaii, USA
Public Domain/Wikipedia
10) Rumor has it that an extinct tribe of people lived on Kauai after their original home sank into the sea. These people are said to be the guardians of all the treasure that has been hidden across the island.
Kauai, Hawaii, USA
Ian Rees/Flickr

Whether or not these treasures are real is up for debate, but the allure of buried treasure is quite enticing, is it not? Have you heard about any of these stunning treasures? Do you know of any hidden treasures in Hawaii that you think should be added to this list? Sound off in the comments below.

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Lost Treasures in Hawaii

Sarah M. | July 22, 2022

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The Hawaiian islands are a place of immense beauty and wonder, with lots of hidden gems just waiting to be discovered. One of our favorite hidden gems in Hawaii is a glorious bioreserve and botanical garden that we think ought to get more attention than it receives. The Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve & Garden in Hilo, is a real-life oasis that opened in 1984 in Hawaii's secluded and sublime Onomea Valley, and today is home to over 2,500 tropical and subtropical plants from the islands and around the world. The crown jewel of this real-life Garden of Eden, however, is a three-tiered waterfall that many claim to be *the* most beautiful in Hawaii. And despite its diminutive stature -- especially compared with some of the Aloha State's most commanding cascades -- this wondrous waterfall, surrounded by the most lush, emerald-green foliage and vibrant flora, definitely lives up to such praise.

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From hidden treasures to real-life castles, you'll find it all in the Aloha State. Iolani Palace is Hawaii’s official royal residence, and the only *true* castle in the United States. The extraordinary edifice was built in 1882 in downtown Honolulu by King Kalakaua as a means of strengthening the then-Kingdom of Hawaii’s global clout and prestige. When the Hawaiian monarchy was overthrown in 1893 by the U.S., Iolani Palace served as the capitol building until it underwent extensive renovation, reopening as a museum in 1978. Taking design inspiration from European palaces, Iolani is said to be the sole example of American Florentine style (a mix of Italian Renaissance and Hawaiian architectural styles) and is the only official royal residence on U.S. soil. It is a beloved cultural center in Hawaii, and you'll definitely want to tour this pristine palace while you're there.

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