Pi‘ilanihale , Häna, TYPES OF HEIAU FRAGILE RESOURCES Heiau were constructed under the direction of Rocks collected from beaches, streams, and the the ali‘i nui (high chiefs) and kähuna (priests). mountains provide an abundance of building They were dedicated to different gods for material for fishpond walls, house platforms, NĀ WAHI various purposes which could change over time enclosures, and religious sites. Hawaiians use a with a new ali‘i. The mana (divine power) of the technique called pä pöhaku or dry stone masonry. ali‘i dictated strict kapu (prohibitions) at these Their skill at locking the stones in place without PANA sites. These are some of the types of heiau: any mortar is evident in the massive fishpond • Heiau ho‘öla are for treating the sick and walls and heiau that remain hundreds of years training in the art of healing. An example is National Tropical Botanical Garden after their construction. Respecting Keaïwa Heiau in ‘Aiea, O‘ahu. Without the use of hawaiian • Heiau tend to be the largest and most SITES TO VISIT mortar, these stacked elaborate. Dedicated to the war-god Kü, these A number of heiau and wahi pana can be visited in stone structures are sacred sites are the heiau of the ruling chiefs. Examples are national, state, and county parks, botanical gardens, now fragile and subject Mo‘okini and Pu‘ukoholä Heiau on Hawai‘i and resorts. Before visiting, check websites for hours, to collapse. Do not Island and Pu‘u O Mahuka Heiau on O‘ahu. directions, fees, and possible restrictions. walk on or over any of these structures • Heiau mäpele are dedicated to Käne and HAWAI‘I ISLAND for your safety, the Lono for peace, fertility, and agricultural • Pu‘ukoholä Heiau National Historic Site protection of the site, productivity. Ulupö Heiau in Kailua has • Mo‘okini Heiau State Monument and respect for their been rededicated as this type of heiau. • Ku‘emanu Heiau, Kahalu‘u Beach Park • Häpaiali‘i Heiau, Keauhou Resort cultural value. Help • Hikiau Heiau, Kealakekua State Historical Park preserve these sacred places for the future. NĀ AKUA • Hale O Keawe, Pu‘uhonua O Hönaunau National Historical Park Nä Akua, Hawaiian gods, spirits or deities, TO LEARN MORE & took various forms in nature referred to as kino- KAUA‘I lau. There are four major gods and thousands • Wailua Complex of Heiau, State Park GET DIRECTIONS (Hikinaakalä, Kalaeokamanu, & Poliahu Heiau) of other gods and spirits (kini akua). Department of Land & Natural Resources • Kauluapä‘oa Heiau, Hä‘ena State Park KANALOA Division of State Parks God of the ocean and voyaging, MAUI www.hawaiistateparks.org represented by the he‘e (octopus). • Haleki‘i-Pihana Heiau State Historic Site • Ohala Heiau, Wai‘änapanapa State Park KĀNE • Pi‘ilanihale Heiau, Kahanu Garden Hawai‘i Parks A creator, associated with freshwater, O‘AHU www.nps.gov/state/HI the source of life. Käne is often • Keaïwa Heiau State Recreation Area National Tropical Botanical Garden represented by an upright stone. • Pu‘u O Mahuka Heiau State Historic Site Kahanu Garden, Häna, Maui • Ulupö Heiau State Historical Park KŪ • Kü‘ïlioloa Heiau, Pöka‘ï Bay Beach Park http://ntbg.org/gardens/kahanu God of politics and warfare, both a • Kükaniloko Birthstones State Historic Site Ulupö Heiau, Kailua, O‘ahu builder and a destroyer, represented • Hale O Lono, Waimea Valley This brochure was designed and printed by ‘Ahahui by the wide-mouth ki‘i (image). Mälama I Ka Lökahi and the Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club with a grant from the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, Kükulu Culturally appropriate behavior NOTICE Ola Program. Lono It is unlawful to take, excavate, destroy, or alter any historic when visiting heiau, wahi pana, and God of fertility, peace, and harvest, site on state land. Violation is subject to a fine of $10,000 represented by the tall, pearl-eyed (HRS, Chapter 6E-11). Sites on federal land are protected sacred sites in Hawai‘i ki‘i. , the annual harvest under the Archaeological Resources Protection Act. festival, is dedicated to him. WAHI PANA WHEN VISITING . . . HO‘OKUPU Wahi pana are celebrated and storied places in Before visiting any place, it is important that we Our quiet, respectful prayers or chants are the cultural traditions of Hawai‘i. They may be understand where we are going – the history, our ho‘okupu (offerings). Nothing physical is heiau, royal birthing sites, legendary sites, and the usage and the spirituality of the place. And required. However, simple, non-meat gifts such places of significance for the people who live we need to realize that wherever we go – the as ferns or other greenery may be appropriate, there. These sacred places have mana (spiritual forest or the ocean – we are entering as guests but be aware that this type of offering is power) and are treated with great respect, and we cannot automatically assume that we traditionally made within the context of ritual honor, and reverence. are welcome there. From this perspective, we and ceremony. Realize that may develop a proper attitude – one of humility, if no one takes care of the Heiau are religious sites and places of worship one that shifts our focus from ourselves to our place, any offerings we make where ceremonies and rituals are conducted. surroundings, and one that allows us to blend may accumulate and litter the The design and size of these sites range from Keaïwa Heiau, ‘Aiea, O‘ahu with the elements of nature such as the sun, the area rather than serve as an small ko‘a (shrine) to large, massive platforms clouds, the wind, and the rain. enhancement for the gods. and walled enclosures. Construction of a Put simply, if unsure, we should heiau requires engineering and expertise in the HANA KŪPONO Before approaching any sacred place, traditional offer nothing spoken and nothing stacking of pöhaku (rocks) of various sizes and protocol requires that we silently ask permission physical. shapes for stability and structural integrity. Hana küpono is of the küpuna (ancestors), we give thanks for the • the right behavior privilege of visiting, and we offer apologies for When you visit a site, you As you visit these sites today, you will see the • conducted at the appropriate time any negativity we may unwittingly bring or do may see offerings of various stone foundations and walls that define the • by the proper people at the site. kinds. Wrapping a rock in sacred area. The pole and thatch structures • presented to the correct recipients a ti leaf is not a traditional placed within the walls or atop the platform • toward a positive and significant goal. While near wahi pana, continued silence is the offering and it alters the have long since perished. best behavior so as not to disturb the harmony Hana küpono evokes respect in the form of silence integrity of the site when of the place or the fauna and flora that reside left on the heiau walls and and attention on the part of the recipients. It therein. Silent prayers may be offered in prepares the participants to engage seriously in platform. Incense, crystals, recognition of the spirituality of the place with candles and coins are also inappropriate and what is to follow and initiates a set of responses an understanding that anything we bring with from those who know the protocol. can damage the pöhaku (rocks) of the sacred us affects that spirituality. We need to be aware site. It transforms the mood from the mundane that we become a part of the place and the place and ordinary into something deeper and more becomes a part of us simply because of our In some cases, a lele important. It links all participants together and presence. structure is built for to their surroundings via an enhanced sense of the placement of We should always respect the boundaries and place. these ho‘okupu. While kapu (off limits) areas of these sacred sites. If physical offerings are It expresses and confirms a living and vital not marked, use the outer edge of the stone or not encouraged, the Rendering of Pu‘u O Mahuka Heiau with ceremonial structures Hawaiian culture, making each person a bit wood structure as your limit for viewing. lele avoids the need such as the wooden ki‘i (images), lele (altars) for offerings, and more appreciative of and more connected to thatched hale to house the ceremonial items. The heiau today with to walk onto sacred these islands we call home. only the stone walls and interior paving remaining. areas or damage the site. MĀLAMA Physical disturbance Mälama (care for) is a concept central to is to be avoided as Hawaiian culture and values. To mälama is well. This includes moving of pöhaku and the to show respect and help preserve Hawaiian removal and/or addition of pöhaku and plants. cultural sites, sacred places, and wahi pana Heed all signs denoting restrictions and proper for future generations. Pu‘ukoholä Heiau, South Kohala, Hawai‘i behavior when visiting. Mahalo