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heiau

ancient Hawaiian religious site and structure

Quick Summary

A heiau was a pre-Christian Hawaiian temple or place of worship, often constructed as a stone platform or earthen terrace. These were significant ceremonial and religious structures within ancient Hawaiian society.123

One notable example is the Puukohola National Historic Site, a well-preserved heiau dedicated in 1791 by Kamehameha I. Another is found within the Puʻuhonua O Honaunau refuge, which includes several heiau, such as the Alealea Heiau and Hale O Keawe, a depository for the bones of deified kings and chiefs. The old religious practices and temples were forbidden in 1819, leading to their razing.32

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3 Britannica Sources
  1. heiau
  2. Honaunau
  3. Kawaihae

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