Heiau

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A heiau is a Hawaiian temple comprised of a stone platform with various structures built upon it. The structures on the platform were used to house priests, sacred ceremonial drums, sacred items, and cult images representing the gods associated with that particular temple. There were also altars on which to offer sacrifices (plant, animal and human). The heiau were sacred places; only the kahuna (priests) and certain sacred ali'i (high chiefs) were allowed to enter.

The kapu or 'ai kapu system was abolished in 1819 by Liholiho, Kamehameha II. The abolition of the kapu system ended the use of heiau as places of worship and sacrifice. A period referred to as the 'Ai Noa or "free eating" followed. By the mid 1820s, Christianity had filled this religious void. All heiau, sadly, were eventually abandoned; most were destroyed over the years. Often they were broken up and plowed under to make way for fields of sugar cane.