Kohala Historical Sites State Monument facts for kids
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Mookini Heiau
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 Location in Hawaii
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| Nearest city | Hawi, Us |
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| Area | 116 acres (47 ha) |
| Built | 1370 |
| Architect | Kuamo'o Mo'okini; Paʻao |
| Architectural style | Ancient Hawaiian |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000284 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | December 29, 1962 |
The Kohala Historical Sites State Monument is a special place in Hawaiʻi. It includes two very important sites. One is the Moʻokini Heiau, which is a National Historic Landmark. The other is the birthplace of Kamehameha I, a famous Hawaiian king.
This monument is located in a quiet, remote area called North Kohala. It's on the Island of Hawaiʻi.
Contents
History of Moʻokini Heiau
Moʻokini Heiau is one of the oldest and most sacred historical places in Hawaiʻi. The name Moʻokini means "many family lines" in the Hawaiian Language. It also refers to "many Moʻo," who are large reptile goddesses. Hawaiians have honored these goddesses for a very long time.
This heiau is more than just an old building. It is still a living spiritual temple for Hawaiian culture. Stories passed down through generations say the first temple here might be 1500 years old. These stories tell of a priest named Kuamo'o Mo'okini arriving around 480 AD. He came from the Persian Gulf area, not from nearby islands like Samoa.
The temple you see today was built on top of that older, smaller one. It was built by Paʻao. He is believed to have brought the Hawaiian Religion to the islands between 1100 and 1300 AD.
Building the Heiau
The Moʻokini Heiau is quite large. It measures about 250 feet long and 130 feet wide. It has a stone-paved area in the middle. This area is surrounded by stone walls that are 20 feet high. There is also a special stone used for offerings.
The stones used to build the heiau are very interesting. People say they were passed from hand to hand all the way from the Pololū Valley. That's over 12 miles away! One old story says that the heiau was built by the menehune in just one night. The menehune are mythical little people in Hawaiian legends.
Rules and Changes at the Heiau
For many centuries, strict rules called kapu were followed at the heiau. It was a special place only for the highest chiefs, called the Aliʻi Nui. They came here to pray and make offerings. These offerings were mainly to Kū, the god of war. In Kohala, Moʻokini Heiau was the center of religious life.
In November 1978, a high priestess named Leimomi Mo'okini Lum made an important change. She reopened the Moʻokini Heiau to all people, especially the "Children of the Land" (kama ʻaina). She lifted the old, strict rules. This made the site safe for everyone to visit. It became a place where future generations could learn about the past. Her family has been caring for this temple for hundreds of years.
Birthplace of Kamehameha the Great
Just a short walk from the heiau is another very important spot. This is Kamehameha Akahi ʻĀina Hānau, the birthplace of Kamehameha the Great. He was a very famous Hawaiian king. People say he was born here in 1758. This was when Halley's Comet was seen in the sky.
You can find the entrance to this site on the south side. A special rock is said to mark the exact spot where Kamehameha was born.
Visiting the Monument
The Kohala Historical Sites State Monument is a bit tricky to reach. You can only get there by driving on a dirt road. This road starts near the Upolu Airport. The monument is about 1.5 miles off the Akoni Pule Highway.
To get there, turn north onto Upolu Point road near the town of Hawi. Then, turn west at the small airstrip. It's a good idea to use a four-wheel drive vehicle, especially if it has been raining.
The birthplace of Kamehameha has a sign and a fence around it. You can find it at these coordinates: 20°15′20″N 155°52′58″W / 20.25556°N 155.88278°W.
Moʻokini Heiau was recognized as a National Historic Landmark on December 29, 1962. It was then added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. On a clear day, you can see a beautiful view of Maui from here.
Other Nearby Heiaus
Close to Moʻokini Heiau are two other smaller heiaus. Their access is limited.
Mahukona Heiau
Mahukona Heiau is about nine miles from Moʻokini. It is dedicated to Lono, the god of peace and agriculture. This heiau sits on a steep hillside. Long ago, navigators were trained here. They studied the night skies, clouds, winds, and ocean currents. This helped them plan long voyages across the Pacific Ocean.
Kukuipahu Heiau
Kukuipahu Heiau is located in the Kohala Mountains. It is dedicated to Kāne, the god of creation and life. Kukuipahu Heiau is one of three heiaus that formed a special spiritual triangle in North Kohala. Each heiau in this triangle was dedicated to a different important god: Kū, Lono, and Kāne.
