Haleki'i-Pihana Heiau State Monument
Encyclopedia
Haleki'i-Pihana Heiau State Monument is a 10 acres (4 ha) park containing two important luakini
heiau
on a high ridge near the mouth of Iao Stream in Wailuku
, Maui
. Both Halekii and Pihana were associated with important Hawaiian
chiefs, have been closely studied by archaeologists, and overlook the fertile Nā Wai Ehā ('Four Waters') region irrigated by the Wailuku, Waikapu, Waihee and Waiehu
streams. The heiau complex was added to the National Register of Historic Places on 25 November 1985.
Pihana ('fullness' or 'gathering') is also known as Piihana and Pihanakalani ('gathering of the supernatural'). It began as a small temple site between 1260 and 1400, was expanded between 1410 and 1640 to serve as a residence and luakini (war/sacrificial) temple for Kiihewa, who lived at the time of Kakae
, the father of Kahekili I
.
Halekii ('image house' or "Tiki
House") was added along the crest of the hill at about this time, reputedly at the instigation of chief Kihapiilani. Both were greatly expanded into their present shape between 1662 and 1705, and Pihana was enhanced and reoriented to face the island of Hawaii
during a period of interisland warfare between 1684 and 1778. In 1790, after the forces of Kamehameha I
won the very deadly Battle of Kepaniwai
, his son Liholiho rededicated Pihana.
Luakini
In ancient Hawai'i, a luakini temple, or luakini heiau, was a Native Hawaiian sacred place where human and animal blood sacrifices were offered....
heiau
Heiau
A heiau is a Hawaiian temple. Many types of heiau existed, including heiau to treat the sick , offer first fruits, offer first catch, start rain, stop rain, increase the population, ensure health of the nation, achieve success in distant voyaging, reach peace, and achieve success in war . Only the...
on a high ridge near the mouth of Iao Stream in Wailuku
Wailuku, Hawaii
Wailuku is a census-designated place in Maui County, Hawaii, United States. The population was 12,296 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Maui County.Wailuku is located just west of Kahului, at the mouth of the Īao Valley...
, Maui
Maui
The island of Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands at and is the 17th largest island in the United States. Maui is part of the state of Hawaii and is the largest of Maui County's four islands, bigger than Lānai, Kahoolawe, and Molokai. In 2010, Maui had a population of 144,444,...
. Both Halekii and Pihana were associated with important Hawaiian
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
chiefs, have been closely studied by archaeologists, and overlook the fertile Nā Wai Ehā ('Four Waters') region irrigated by the Wailuku, Waikapu, Waihee and Waiehu
Waihee-Waiehu, Hawaii
Waihee-Waiehu is a census-designated place in Maui County, Hawaii, United States. The population was 7,310 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Waihee-Waiehu is located at ....
streams. The heiau complex was added to the National Register of Historic Places on 25 November 1985.
Pihana ('fullness' or 'gathering') is also known as Piihana and Pihanakalani ('gathering of the supernatural'). It began as a small temple site between 1260 and 1400, was expanded between 1410 and 1640 to serve as a residence and luakini (war/sacrificial) temple for Kiihewa, who lived at the time of Kakae
Kakae
Kakae was the 11th Mo'i of Maui. He was the titular chieftain or king of the island of Maui. His name is sometimes given as Kakaeloiki.He was son of Kaulahea I of Maui and High Chiefess Kapo-Hana-Au-puni of Hilo. His brother was Kakaalaneo. He and his brother Kakaalaneo, appears to have jointly...
, the father of Kahekili I
Kahekili I
Kahekili I was the 13th Mo'i of Maui. He was the titular chieftain or king of the island of Maui. He was a noted warrior chief who nearly destroyed his country. He was styled Kahekilinui or Kahekili the Great even though his greatness was small in comparison to his descendant Kahekili II.He was...
.
Halekii ('image house' or "Tiki
Tiki
Tiki refers to large wood and stone carvings of humanoid forms in Central Eastern Polynesian cultures of the Pacific Ocean. The term is also used in Māori mythology where Tiki is the first man, created by either Tūmatauenga or Tāne. He found the first woman, Marikoriko, in a pond – she seduced him...
House") was added along the crest of the hill at about this time, reputedly at the instigation of chief Kihapiilani. Both were greatly expanded into their present shape between 1662 and 1705, and Pihana was enhanced and reoriented to face the island of Hawaii
Hawaii (island)
The Island of Hawaii, also called the Big Island or Hawaii Island , is a volcanic island in the North Pacific Ocean...
during a period of interisland warfare between 1684 and 1778. In 1790, after the forces of Kamehameha I
Kamehameha I
Kamehameha I , also known as Kamehameha the Great, conquered the Hawaiian Islands and formally established the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1810. By developing alliances with the major Pacific colonial powers, Kamehameha preserved Hawaii's independence under his rule...
won the very deadly Battle of Kepaniwai
Battle of Kepaniwai
The Battle of Kepaniwai was fought in 1790 between Hawaii Island and Maui. The forces of Hawaii were led by Kamehameha I, while the forces of Maui were led by Kalanikūpule...
, his son Liholiho rededicated Pihana.