Temples in Historical Hawaii

Pu'ukohola Heiau

The Hawaiian people's gods were connected to most of their endeavors. A variety of places were provided for religious observances:

Men set up a small shrine in one end of their eating house (hale moa) where prayers and offerings were made.

Agricultural heiaus, called waihau and unu, were the scene of rituals to improve crops.

Fishermen erected simple shrines along the coast, and bird catchers erected their own simple stone platforms, called koia, in the mountains.

Of great importance were the large temples (heiaus) dedicated to certain purposes and gods.

Typical heiaus were enclosed by sturdy walls of lava stone, the floors were covered with smooth rocks, and the roof was open to the sky. Heiaus included raised platforms of stone, grass houses for the storage of wooden images, platforms for holding sacrifices, and in some, an oracle tower (‘anu’u) covered with white kapa.

Hawaiian Temple: Hikiau HeiauThree Types of Major Heiaus

The Luakini or po’o kanaka heiaus are the largest of the structures, built by the highest chiefs and dedicated with human offerings. These were the scene of human sacrifices.

The Heiau ho’ola or healing temples are unique to Hawai’i and each district had at least one.

The Pu’uhonua were places of refuge to which accused persons could flee, find sanctuary, and be forgiven their misdeeds.


A description of the Hawaiian Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: erected at Laie, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii and a statement concerning the purpose for which it has been built

Hawaiian TemplesAuthor: D M. 1842-1931 McAllister
Manufacturer: Nabu Press
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Description : This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed...Read More



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Hawaiian TemplesAuthor: W. D. Westervelt
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Description : Hawaiian Legends Of Ghosts And Ghost-Gods: collected and translated from the Hawaiian By W. D. Westervelt.TOCForewordIntroductionPronunciationPart II. The Ghost of Wahaula TempleII. Maluae and the Under-worldIII. A Giant's Rock-ThrowingIV. Kalo-eke-eke, The Timid TaroV. Legendary Canoe-MakingVI. Lau-ka-ieieVII. Kauhuhu, the Shark-God of MolokaiVIII. The...Read More



Heiau of the Island of Hawaii: A Historic Survey of Native Hawaiian Temple Sites (Bishop Museum Bulletins in Anthropology)

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Sacred Space: The Magical Land of Hawaii

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Hawaiian Magnet Temple God Tiki

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A description of the Hawaiian Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints : erected at Laie, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii and a statement concerning the purpose for which it has been built

Manufacturer: Salt Lake City : The Church

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***RE-PRINT*** A description of the Hawaiian Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints : erected at Laie, Oahu, Territory of Hawai

Hawaiian TemplesAuthor: D. M. (Duncan McNeil), 1842-1931 ***NOTE: THIS IS A "PRINT ON DEMAND" VERSION FROM THE ORIGINAL BOOK*** McAllister
Manufacturer: Salt Lake City : The Church

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