Pi‘ilanihale Heiau, Häna, Maui

TYPES OF HEIAUHeiau were constructed under the direction ofthe ali‘i nui (high chiefs) and kähuna (priests).
They were dedicated to different gods forvarious purposes which could change over timewith a new ali‘i. The mana (divine power) of theali‘i dictated strict kapu (prohibitions) at thesesites. These are some of the types of heiau:• Heiau ho‘öla are for treating the sick andtraining in the art of healing. An example isKeaïwa Heiau in ‘Aiea, O‘ahu.
• Heiau luakini tend to be the largest and mostelaborate. Dedicated to the war-god Kü, these
are the heiau of the ruling chiefs. Examples areMo‘okini and Pu‘ukoholä Heiau on Hawai‘iIsland and Pu‘u O Mahuka Heiau on O‘ahu.
• Heiau mäpele are dedicated to Käne andLono for peace, fertility, and agriculturalproductivity. Ulupö Heiau in Kailua has
been rededicated as this type of heiau.

NĀ AKUANä Akua, Hawaiian gods, spirits or deities,
took various forms in nature referred to as kinolau. There are four major gods and thousandsof other gods and spirits (kini akua).

KANALOA

God of the ocean and voyaging,
represented by the he‘e (octopus).

KĀNEA creator, associated with freshwater,
the source of life. Käne is often
represented by an upright stone.

KŪGod of politics and warfare, both abuilder and a destroyer, represented
by the wide-mouth ki‘i (image).

Lono

God of fertility, peace, and harvest,
represented by the tall, pearl-eyedki‘i. Makahiki, the annual harvest
festival, is dedicated to him.

National Tropical Botanical Garden

SITES TO VISITA number of heiau and wahi pana can be visited innational, state, and county parks, botanical gardens,and resorts. Before visiting, check websites for hours,directions, fees, and possible restrictions.

HAWAI‘I ISLAND• Pu‘ukoholä Heiau National Historic Site
• Mo‘okini Heiau State Monument• Ku‘emanu Heiau, Kahalu‘u Beach Park
• Häpaiali‘i Heiau, Keauhou Resort• Hikiau Heiau, Kealakekua State Historical Park
• Hale O Keawe, Pu‘uhonua O Hönaunau NationalHistorical Park

KAUA‘I• Wailua Complex of Heiau, Wailua River State Park(Hikinaakalä, Kalaeokamanu, & Poliahu Heiau)• Kauluapä‘oa Heiau, Hä‘ena State ParkMAUI• Haleki‘i-Pihana Heiau State Historic Site
• Ohala Heiau, Wai‘änapanapa State Park
• Pi‘ilanihale Heiau, Kahanu GardenO‘AHUFRAGILE RESOURCES
Rocks collected from beaches, streams, and themountains provide an abundance of building
material for fishpond walls, house platforms,enclosures, and religious sites. Hawaiians use atechnique called pä pöhaku or dry stone masonry.
Their skill at locking the stones in place without
any mortar is evident in the massive fishpondwalls and heiau that remain hundreds of years
after their construction.
Without the use ofmortar, these stacked
stone structures are
now fragile and subject
to collapse. Do notwalk on or over anyof these structures
for your safety, theprotection of the site,
and respect for theircultural value. Helppreserve these sacred places for the future.

NĀ WAHI
PANA
Respecting
hawaiiansacred sites

TO LEARN MORE &GET DIRECTIONS
Department of Land & Natural Resources
Division of State Parks

https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/
National Park Service
Hawai‘i Parks
www.nps.gov/state/HI• Keaïwa Heiau State Recreation Area
• Pu‘u O Mahuka Heiau State Historic Site
• Ulupö Heiau State Historical Park• Kü‘ïlioloa Heiau, Pöka‘ï Bay Beach Park
• Kükaniloko Birthstones State Historic Site
• Hale O Lono, Waimea Valley

NOTICE

It is unlawful to take, excavate, destroy, or alter any historicsite on state land. Violation is subject to a fine of $10,000(HRS, Chapter 6E-11). Sites on federal land are protectedunder the Archaeological Resources Protection Act.

National Tropical Botanical GardenKahanu Garden, Häna, Maui
http://ntbg.org/gardens/kahanu
This brochure was designed and printed by ‘Ahahui
Mälama I Ka Lökahi and the Kailua Hawaiian Civic Clubwith a grant from the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, Kükulu
Ola Program.

Ulupö Heiau, Kailua, O‘ahu

Culturally appropriate behavior
when visiting heiau, wahi pana, andsacred sites in Hawai‘i

WAHI PANA

WHEN VISITING . . .

HO‘OKUPU

Wahi pana are celebrated and storied places inthe cultural traditions of Hawai‘i. They may beheiau, royal birthing sites, legendary sites, andplaces of significance for the people who live
there. These sacred places have mana (spiritualpower) and are treated with great respect,honor, and reverence.

Before visiting any place, it is important that weunderstand where we are going – the history,
the usage and the spirituality of the place. And
we need to realize that wherever we go – theforest or the ocean – we are entering as guests
and we cannot automatically assume that weare welcome there. From this perspective, we
may develop a proper attitude – one of humility,
one that shifts our focus from ourselves to oursurroundings, and one that allows us to blend
with the elements of nature such as the sun, theclouds, the wind, and the rain.

Our quiet, respectful prayers or chants are
our ho‘okupu (offerings). Nothing physical isrequired. However, simple, non-meat gifts suchas ferns or other greenery may be appropriate,but be aware that this type of offering istraditionally made within the context of ritualand ceremony. Realize that
if no one takes care of theplace, any offerings we makemay accumulate and litter thearea rather than serve as anenhancement for the gods.
Put simply, if unsure, we should
offer nothing spoken and nothingphysical.

Heiau are religious sites and places of worshipwhere ceremonies and rituals are conducted.
The design and size of these sites range fromsmall ko‘a (shrine) to large, massive platforms
and walled enclosures. Construction of aheiau requires engineering and expertise in thestacking of pöhaku (rocks) of various sizes andshapes for stability and structural integrity.
As you visit these sites today, you will see thestone foundations and walls that define thesacred area. The pole and thatch structures
placed within the walls or atop the platform
have long since perished.

Keaïwa Heiau, ‘Aiea, O‘ahu

HANA KŪPONO
Hana küpono is• the right behavior• conducted at the appropriate time• by the proper people• presented to the correct recipients• toward a positive and significant goal.
Hana küpono evokes respect in the form of silence
and attention on the part of the recipients. It
prepares the participants to engage seriously inwhat is to follow and initiates a set of responses
from those who know the protocol.
It transforms the mood from the mundaneand ordinary into something deeper and more
important. It links all participants together andto their surroundings via an enhanced sense ofplace.

Rendering of Pu‘u O Mahuka Heiau with ceremonial structures
such as the wooden ki‘i (images), lele (altars) for offerings, andthatched hale to house the ceremonial items. The heiau today with
only the stone walls and interior paving remaining.

It expresses and confirms a living and vital
Hawaiian culture, making each person a bit
more appreciative of and more connected tothese islands we call home.

Before approaching any sacred place, traditional
protocol requires that we silently ask permissionof the küpuna (ancestors), we give thanks for theprivilege of visiting, and we offer apologies forany negativity we may unwittingly bring or doat the site.
While near wahi pana, continued silence is thebest behavior so as not to disturb the harmonyof the place or the fauna and flora that residetherein. Silent prayers may be offered inrecognition of the spirituality of the place withan understanding that anything we bring withus affects that spirituality. We need to be awarethat we become a part of the place and the place
becomes a part of us simply because of ourpresence.
We should always respect the boundaries andkapu (off limits) areas of these sacred sites. If
not marked, use the outer edge of the stone orwood structure as your limit for viewing.

MĀLAMAMälama (care for) is a concept central toHawaiian culture and values. To mälama isto show respect and help preserve Hawaiian
cultural sites, sacred places, and wahi panafor future generations.

When you visit a site, you
may see offerings of various
kinds. Wrapping a rock ina ti leaf is not a traditional
offering and it alters theintegrity of the site whenleft on the heiau walls andplatform. Incense, crystals,
candles and coins are also inappropriate andcan damage the pöhaku (rocks) of the sacredsite.
In some cases, a lelestructure is built forthe placement ofthese ho‘okupu. Whilephysical offerings are
not encouraged, thelele avoids the need
to walk onto sacredareas or damage thesite.
Physical disturbanceis to be avoided aswell. This includes moving of pöhaku and theremoval and/or addition of pöhaku and plants.

Pu‘ukoholä Heiau, South Kohala, Hawai‘i

Heed all signs denoting restrictions and proper
behavior when visiting. Mahalo