Pu'u o Mahuka Heiau State Monument

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Puu o Mahuka Heiau
(U.S. National Historic Landmark)
The ruins at the Pu'u o Mahuka Heiau
Nearest city:	Haleiwa, Hawaii
Built/Founded:	1792
Architectural style(s):	No Style Listed
Added to NRHP:	October 15, 1966
NRHP Reference#:	66000292[1]
Governing body:	State

On the northern side of Oahu, atop a hill overlooking Waimea Bay and the Waimea valley are the remains of the Pu'u o Mahuka Heiau, which is itself a state monument in Hawaii.

The decision to construct or change a luakini heiau was made by the ruler (moʻi). A heiau might be built to honor the gods of peace and fertility (mapele heiau) and could be altered and rededicated to the gods of war (luakini heiau). This was a place of great mana that was passed from na akua to the kanake maoli. The gods were honored with various hoʻokupu and pule. These hoʻokupu might include banana, taro, pig, and fish. Each November, the rising of the Makaliʻi (the Pleiades) can be observed from the heiau. The rising marked the start of the Makahiki season, a time of peace that lasted four months. During this time, this heiau did not function as a luakini heiau.

While all that remains of the heiau is a rubble area arranged in a rough rectangle, the remains of the walls are considered sacred, and monitored by Malama Ponu Ka Poʻe.

[edit] References

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