Hilltop archaeological site featuring the remnants of two ancient Hawaiian temples with panoramic views of Central Maui.
General Information
How to Get There
From Kahului, HI (3 mi): Drive west on Kaʻahumanu Avenue, turn right on South Market Street, then left on Upalu Street; the monument is at the end of the road.
Overview
Halekiʻi-Pihana Heiau State Monument is a 10-acre park with two important luakini (war/sacrificial) heiau on a high ridge near the mouth of ʻĪao Stream in Wailuku. Linked to important Hawaiian chiefs and closely studied by archaeologists, they overlook the fertile Nā Wai ʻEhā (“Four Waters”) region irrigated by the Wailuku, Waikapū, Waihee and Waiehu streams. The complex was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.
The Two Heiau
- Pihana (“fullness” or “gathering”) – began as a small temple between 1260 and 1400, was expanded as a residence and temple for Kiʻihewa, and was later reoriented to face Hawaiʻi Island during interisland warfare (1684–1778). In 1790, after Kamehameha I’s forces won the deadly Battle of Kepaniwai, his son Liholiho rededicated it.
- Halekiʻi (“image house”) – added along the crest of the hill, reputedly at the instigation of chief Kihapiʻilani. Both heiau reached their present form between 1662 and 1705.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "Haleki'i-Pihana Heiau State Monument", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0