Kuemanu Heiau

Kuemanu Heiau. . , In the past, Hawaiian religious practices included the worship of many gods, both through individual and family rituals at small shrines and through larger community ceremonies at heiau (temples) such as this one. In 1819, King Kamehameha II renounced the traditional Hawaiian religion and the wooden god images, thatched houses and other perishable structures that once stood on the stone heiau foundations were destroyed or allowed to fall into ruin and decay. What we call heiau today are the foundations of the temples themselves. , Prehistorically, the Kahalu'u area supported a large population, including high ranking chiefs. Many of the once numerous heiau and other archaeological sites left behind by the ancient Hawaiians are being lost to the rapid growth and development that Hawaii has seen during this century. Kuemanu Heiau, said to have been used to pray for good surfing conditions, has been preserved by the County of Hawaii. Kuemanu was recently repaired and portions of the walls you see have been reconstructed. , For your safety, please don't walk along the edge of the walls..