Luakini

Hāpaialiʻi and Keʻeku Heiau (above, left) on Kahaluʻu Bay

In ancient Hawaii, a luakini temple, or luakini heiau, was a Native Hawaiian sacred place where human and animal blood sacrifices were offered.

In Hawaiian mythology, luakini heiaus were first established by Paʻao, a legendary priest credited with establishing many of the rites and symbols typical of the stratified high chieftainships of the immediate pre-European-contact period. Modern archaeologists no longer believe in a historic Pa'ao, but many Native Hawaiians still believe that he was a historical figure, and often vilify him for introducing what they now see as the bloody, barbarous rites of the luakini heiau.

List of currently known or reputed luakini heiaus:

Oʻahu:

• Puʻu O Mahuka, "Hill of Escape"
• Keaiwa

Maui:

• Loaloa Heiau

Big Island of Hawaiʻi:

• Puʻukohola National Historic Site
• Moʻokini, birthplace of Kamehameha I^[1]
• Aha'ula (now engulfed by lava)
• Keʻeku Heiau on Kahaluʻu Bay^[2]

References