Laie Hawaii Temple
4.9(1.1K)google
4.8(56)yelp
Historic BuildingPhoto SpotFolk Culture
Overview
Laie Hawaii Temple is a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located on the northeast shore of the Hawaiian island of Oʻahu. The temple sits on a small hill, half a mile from the Pacific Ocean, in the town of Lāʻie, 35 miles (56 km) from Honolulu. Along with Brigham Young University–Hawaii and the Polynesian Cultural Center, the Laie Hawaii Temple plays an important role in the town of Lāʻie, with the Visitors' Center attracting more than 100,000 people annually.
Practical Info
MonClosed
Tue6:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Wed6:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Thu4:00 – 8:30 PM
Fri6:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Sat6:30 AM – 2:15 PM
SunClosed
Suggested Duration1-1.5 hours
Best TimePerfect between 2:00 PM and 4:30 PM from May to October. Coined 'The Taj Mahal of the Pacific,' this brilliant white temple features a spectacular tiered reflection pool and cascading fountain design. Bright afternoon sun rays vividly illuminate the stark white architectural lines against lush green palms and the blue ocean.
Getting ThereCommanding the windward coast at 55-600 Naniloa Loop, Laie. Driving is highly scenic; follow Kamehameha Highway (HI-83) north to Laie, turning onto Naniloa Loop. A spacious, complimentary paved visitor parking lot is situated directly outside the welcome center. Note: The interior sanctuary is closed to the public.
Travel Tips
- The interior of the primary temple structure is strictly reserved for LDS church members in good standing and remains closed to the general public; visiting tourists are confined to the external manicured terraced gardens, reflection pools, and the public Visitors' Center for quiet self-guided historical exploration.
- A strict behavioral and dress code is enforced across the entire sacred temple grounds; all visitors must wear modest, respectful attire with shirts covering shoulders and midriffs, and pants or skirts extending below the knee, while short shorts, tank tops, and beach footwear are explicitly denied entry.
- Vehicles must utilize the designated complimentary public visitor parking lot located directly off Lanihuli Street; the surrounding streets border BYU-Hawaii student housing areas, meaning parking in any stall marked for university permits or resident-only parking yields an immediate private tow.
Reviews
Positive
- This pure white edifice dubbed the 'Taj Mahal of the Pacific' is intensely solemn and grand, flanked by cascading tiered fountains and meticulously manicured tropical gardens, scoring full marks for visual awe.
- The visitor center management is top-tier; the volunteer team hails from around the world, delivering high-quality multi-lingual deep tours with zero pressure or sales, making you feel genuinely welcomed.
- It is completely free to enter and provides ample free parking. The interiors feature high-standard accessible ramps and spotless restrooms, offering a serene, peaceful environment rich in sacred religious and cultural core value.
- Located in the north shore town of Laie, far from Honolulu's bustle, the visitor density is relatively low, free of noisy crowds or vendors, keeping the raw religious vibe pure.
Heads up
- To protect the sacred sanctuary, the temple interior is restricted to specific LDS church members; casual tourists are strictly forbidden to enter, left only to tour outer gardens, which is slightly disappointing.
- Driving from Waikiki downtown takes over an hour along the highway; peak hours bring severe traffic congestion, and public transit buses run infrequently, making arrival difficult.
- The site interiors feature zero dining outlets, food trucks, or leisure cafés except for pure religious materials and a small gift shop; getting water or food requires walking to the town's business center.
- The dress code and conduct management are quite conservative and strict; loud noises or overly revealing beachwear/bikinis will be politely stopped at the gate or asked to wrap in sarongs, causing discomfort if unprepared.