Heiau

A heiau is a Hawaiian temple, ranging from simple earth terraces to elaborate stone platforms, built for purposes from healing the sick and offering first fruits to bringing rain, success in voyaging and success in war. Only the war temples, the luakini, were dedicated through human sacrifice, and only the ruling chief of an island or moku could use one. The largest known, Hale O Piʻilani on Maui, is a three-acre platform dating to the 13th century. After Kamehameha II abolished the kapu in October 1819 the heiau ceased to be places of worship and most were destroyed over the years, though some have been restored and many are still considered sacred.