page_title: Keaʻiwa Heiau State Recreation Area
section_title: Gallery
hierarchical_section_title: Keaʻiwa Heiau State Recreation Area / Gallery
caption_attribution_description: English: Plaque at Keaiwa Heiau on Oahu, Hawaii. Plaque reads: Keaiwa Heiau A temple with life giving powers believed to be a center where the Hawaiian kahuna lapaau or herb doctor practiced the art of healing. Herbs grown in nearby gardens were compounded and prescribed with prayer Commission on Historical Sites
context_page_description: Keaʻiwa Heiau State Recreation Area is the ruins of a temple at the summit of a hill and neighborhood called ʻAiea Heights on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi. The recreation area includes camping facilities and a 4.8-mile trail. It also offers clear views of Pearl Harbor. A possible translation of Keaʻiwa would be mysterious, incomprehensible. It is believed that this name was given in reference to the healing powers of the plants that no one could really explain. In addition, Keaiwa Heiau may have also been known as a "Heiau Hoʻola," or the healing or life-giving heiau according to Mary Kawena Pukui, a native Hawaiian scholar, dancer, composer, and educator.
  Erected sometime in the 16th century by Kakuhihewa, the 15th Aliʻi ʻAimoku, or ruling chief, of Oahu, the 100 feet by 160 feet stone temple had walls averaging 4 ft in height and 5 ft in width. The walls consisted of numerous evenly faced one foot stones that are filled with rubble. Abundant medicinal herbs in the area were used by kahuna as a type of ancient herbal clinic. The kahuna would also train haumana interested in the art of laʻau lapaʻau.
context_section_description: KEAIWA HEIAU 
   A temple with life giving powers believed to be a center where the Hawaiian kahuna lapaau or herb doctor practiced the art of healing. Herbs grown in nearby gardens were compounded and prescribed with prayer—Commission on Historical Sites
caption: The plaque at Keaʻiwa Heiau
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