Wailuku in Maui County, Hawaii — Hawaiian Island Archipelago (Pacific Ocean)

Haleki'i and Pihanakalani Heiaus

State Historical Site

Photographed by Don Morfe, November 8, 2008

1. Haleki'i and Pihanakalani Heiaus Marker

Inscription. A heiau is a Hawaiian religious structure which centralized the ceremonies and rituals of old Hawaii. The construction of a heiau was directed by the highest chiefs or alii and required a great expenditure of organized labor. The ceremonies and offerings at heiau were overseen by priests or kahunas. Halekii translates to “house of images.” It is believed that Halekii heiau was a chiefly complex with images of ki’i placed on the terraces. Kahekili, chief of Maui, lived and worshiped at Haieki’i during religious observances in the 1760s. Pihanakalani translates to “gathering place of high supernatural beings.” Pihanakaiani is recorded as a luakini neiau. Luakini heiaus were dedicated to Ku, the god of war, and were built for success in war. It is not known when Halekii and Pihanakalani heiaus were built. According to tradition, the menehunes built the heiaus one night in the distant past with stones from nearby ‘lao Stream. In 1819, the traditional Hawaiian religion was abolished. At this time the images were taken away, the structures on the heiaus were dismantled and the heiaus were abandoned.

Erected by State

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of Hawaii-Dept of Land and Natural Resources-Division of State Parks.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1819.

Location. 20° 54.312′ N, 156° 29.484′ W. Marker is in Wailuku, Hawaii, in Maui County. It is on Hea Place. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wailuku HI 96793, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Lahaina and West Maui.

Globally, it is in North America,

in Polynesia,

in the Pacific Ocean,

in North Pacific,

on the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Maui Nisei Veteran KIAs (approx. 0.6 miles away); A Place to Find the Real Hawaii (approx. 0.9 miles away); St. Anthony Church Catholic Cemetery (approx. one mile away); History of African Americans in Hawai'i (approx. 3.2 miles away); New England Exhibit (approx. 3.2 miles away); Portuguese Exhibit (approx. 3.2 miles away); 726 Fraternal Association, Inc.

State Historical Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, November 8, 2008

2. State Historical Site

(approx. 3.2 miles away); Korean Emigrants (approx. 3.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wailuku.

Site Sacred to the Hawaiian People image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, November 8, 2008

3. Site Sacred to the Hawaiian People

Haleki'i and Pihanakalani Heiaus image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, November 8, 2008

4. Haleki'i and Pihanakalani Heiaus

Photographed by Don Morfe, November 8, 2008

5. Haleki'i and Pihanakalani Heiaus

Photographed by Don Morfe, November 8, 2008

6. Haleki'i and Pihanakalani Heiaus

Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 18, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,634 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 18, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.