The Hawaiian gazette., 1905-08-11


the Heiau OF Kupopolo over against the
precipitous hill on the left of the track.
looking exactly like cattle pen in
the distance. But we went on past It,
Mr.. Fred Smith desired to show his
guests the beautiful gorge through
which Waimea stream breaks to the
sea, and the train was run to the mid
die of the bridge across the river. 1t
is wonderful gorge, wild and beauti-
full, and the glimpse Of the valley fur
ther up is one of the best scenic bits
on this island of Oahu. The stream is
beautiful. too. and yesterday 1t was
especially fine, tawny flood pouring
into the ocean a mass OF water that
discolored the sea for several miles
Upon the high bluff. just across this
stream. are the ruins of the temple of
the priests, with which ruins are as
sociated that old tale of the massacre
of the Daedelus men. You will read
all about that in the histories.
THE TEMPLE PROPER.
The train was then run back to the
Heiau that we had come to see, or that
the antiquarians in the party had come
to see that they might discuss it's res
toration intelligently. and the party left
the car and made it's way up the slope
to the old temple.
1t was a walk, perhaps, of little
less than an eighth of a mile, climb
ing gentle slope all the way. Truly
those old Hawaiians chose slightly
places to worship in. From the tenn.
pie, the countryside sweeps away to
the southwark in a long stretch that
would joy the soul of painter. The
sea is in front, and to the northward,
where the mountain range runs down
20 the water there Is a variation of
the prospect that is pleasing.
The Helau, so far as any living per-
son knows, is one of which there is
no record in Hawaiian tradition. 1t
had a local name. "Kupopolo," but no
special significance attaches to that.
1t is large double structure, as shown
Mr.. Thrum. 1t lies as nearly as can
be ascertained by pocket compass,
north and south in its greatest dimen-
sion the peculiar entrance being on the
northwestern corner. The temple faces
west. The entrance-there is trace of
but one-was a narrow way, apparent
ly, between two walls of stone ma.
sonry.
I THE INTERIOR FLOORED.
In the interior, it is clear that an
attempt was made to level the floor
with loose stones, now lying in tum-
bled masses, and in the first apart
ment. If that space which is first en-.
tered may be so called, is al leveled
place that seems to have been the
foundation for a house. Perhaps this
was the Holy of Holes. Perhaps II
was a dressing room, or an undressing
room. for the priests. do not know
/ am not an antiquarian.
" In the second room, cut off from
the first by a wall in which there is
no trace of a break. there is the same
apparent attempt to level up the floor
with loose stones, and in this section
moreover, in the extreme southwestern
corner, are three piles of stones tha,
look as though they had been placed
I'm something like their present posi-
tion by design. This may be only an
appearance. The whole place is filled
up with loose stones, from which little
can be told save that there was an at
tempt at some time or another to get
the floor to a general level, And as the
hill slope is steep. there are more
stones against the front or seaward
wall than toward the steep hill behind
the temple,
TRACES OF A TERRACE.
In fact back toward the hill in this
second apartment are clearly the re
mains of a terrace built apparently
three feet above the floor of the mair
room, and this terrace shows evidence
that II was paved at one time. But
whether this served as kind of stage 70,
the performance of religious rites is
of course, thing for authorities upor
such matters to decide.
The gentlemen of the party viewed
the ruins from all sides, and discussed
their probable age. and the advisability
Of attempts at restoration. 1t was
agreed upon all hands that the ruins
should not be permitted to go to any
further decay. but beyond that point
the discussion was entirely tentative
Prof, Bryan. who is the head of the
Historical Buildings Committee of the
Historical Society, was most conserva.
tive in his views. as indeed were ali
the gentlemen present.
"The difficulty" said DIR. Emerson
for instance, Wis in forming an ideal
upon which to base any work of res.
toration, You do not know what yor
are working to. and there is no way tc
find out. I think you can put me down
as conservative on the restoration
matter"
TALK OF RESTORATION.
And that was the general tone of the
talk. The problem. indeed. is one that
must be thought out, and discussed by
the whole Historical Society after the
committee has a meeting upon 1t. The
excursionists have been and seen. They
can advise their fellows intelligentiy
And, when a decision is reached, what
: ever may be its scope. will be done
The Heiau is too valuable to be per-
mitted to go to utter ruin. Chance
visitors and tourists must not be al