Located in an isolated area of the North Kohala Coast on Hawaii’s Big Island is a place so shrouded in darkness that it is advised you only visit during the day, though that might simply be due to the fact that there is no electricity or lights in the area. The Mo’okini Luakini Heiau was one of the first temples to be built on the island, and has an evil history rife with Hawaiian human sacrifice. Read on if your of strong stomach, the details are a little gory. 

Ancient Hawaiian temples, or heiaus, were built for many reasons, including the treatment of the sick, offering of the first fruits, to start and stop rain, to increase the population, achieve success in distant voyaging, ensure a nation’s health, or reach peace, for example. There was only one form of heiau, however, that was dedicated via human sacrifice; the luakini heiau was built to achieve success in war.
Joseph Readdy/Flickr
The Mo’okini Luakini heiau is dated to approximately AD 480, though it wasn’t until much later that the real evil began.
According to Hawaiian mythology, 500 years after the temple’s construction, a Tahitian high priest named Pa’ao arrived in an attempt to bring structure and order to the community. But with that structure came a creepy new tradition as well: human sacrifice. It's always something with new leadership.
John Elk/The Image Bank Collection via Getty Images
Until that point the temple had been used like the others, for a multitude of purposes but never using death to ask greater powers for favors. Unfortunately with the new system of laws instituted by Pa'ao, that became the way things were done.
The large, flat stones that were used in human sacrifice still sit near the heiau, and some visitors claim that they can feel restless spirits that roam the temple.
gpparker / Flickr
Oral tradition on the island says that tens of thousands of men passed stones hand to hand from Pololū Valley to the site to build the temple.

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Legend has it that a 15-mile chain of people was formed so 18,000 workers could pass the rocks required to form the wall of this sacred site - and that the temple was enlarged in a single night.
Joseph Readdy/Flickr
Because there are no lights out here, we suggest visiting during the day. The heiau was designated as Hawaii’s first National Historical Landmark in 1963, though it wasn’t until 1978 that the kapu of restrictions was lifted and ordinary individuals were allowed to enter the structure that is surrounded by six-foot high walls (access was limited to kings and chiefs until this point).
Modern archaeologists now discredit the existence of Pa’ao, though many native Hawaiians still believe that he was a historical figure, and vilify him for introducing the bloody, barbarous rites of the luakini heiau. While we may never know for sure how the Mo’okini Luakini Heiau came to be, we can agree that the human sacrifice that took place there left a dark stain, no pun intended, on our otherwise vibrant history.
Joseph Readdy/Flickr
Thousands of people were killed on this site in allegiance to the kapu system of laws. And not in a quick and easy way either. Sacrifices were stripped of their flesh and their bones were removed an repurposed as fishhooks or other items. At least they were recycling.
Despite the temple’s evil past, it is still considered to be one of the most historically significant sites throughout the Hawaiian Islands. After all, the temple wasn’t used solely for human suffering; it was often used by the priests to communicate with the gods and long-dead ancestors.
Stacy Jenson / Flickr
You can visit the temple and hike a 3.5 mile standard trail around the area to get a sense of what the land might have felt like years ago when these sacrifices were being made. Visitors have said that the trail is eerie and quiet, lending itself more to a creepy feeling than a pensive and calming quiet.

Have you ever visited this evil historical site? Did you sense anything paranormal? For more terrifying places across the Big Island to visit this October, check out this haunted Hawaii Island road trip.

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More to Explore

Hawaiian human sacrifice

Sarah M. | August 12, 2022

Is Mo'okini Kuakini Heiau the only place whose history includes Hawaiian human sacrifice?

Unfortunately not. Found just offshore in Pelekane Bay, are the remnants of an ancient Hawaiian temple — or heiau — called Hale O Kapuni that was created to appease the shark gods. Yes, you indeed read that correctly: sharks were once worshipped as protectors, and this shrine, in particular, was dedicated to the shark god Kauhuhu. Rumor has it that human sacrifices were carried to a heap of stones in the ocean where sharks would devour them. The heiau ruins are said to have been last seen during low tide in the 1950s, but you probably won’t want to go looking for it anyway — sharks still frequent the waters where the temple is believed to be located. Locals consider the area a breeding ground for sharks, mainly black tips and grays. Regardless of whether it's full of sharks or spirits, this is a place we prefer to steer clear from.

What are some other haunted areas of Hawaii?

Sometimes the most beautiful places contain the ugliest secrets. MacKenzie State Recreation Area, a secluded park covering 13 acres on Hawaii Island’s rural southern coast featuring tall ironwood trees, volcanic sea cliffs, and quite a few paranormal encounters. You see, this seemingly lovely park has quite the gruesome past. Portions of the King's Trail wind through the park, and according to the National Park Service, improvements to this ancient coastal trail were made in the mid-1800s by prisoners and those unable to pay their taxes. And the dark history gets even worse — MacKenzie State Park has also been the site of several gruesome murders, beatings, and more, including a gruesome death of an engaged couple who were camping in the park in 1980 and beaten to death. Park guests have been awakened by nightmarish screams, have heard cries and whispers inside the park's many collapsed lava tubes, and have even experienced sleeping bags being suddenly unzipped. You can read more about this haunted place in Hawaii here...

What are the other Hawaiian temples?

The Mo’okini Luakini Heiau may be the creepiest of the Hawaiian temples with the darkest and bloodiest past, but it’s certainly not the only one. There are many other temples spread across the islands.

  • Laie Hawaii Temple
  • The Byodo-In Temple
  • Shiva Temple
  • Kauai's Hindu Monastery
  • Valley of the Temples Memorial Park, Cemetery
  • Mu-Ryang-Sa Korean Buddhist Temple
  • San Marga Iraivan Temple
  • Wat Thai of Hawaii
  • Daijingu Temple of Hawaii
  • Kuan Yin Temple
  • Kona Hawaii Temple
  • Kohala Hongwanji Mission
  • Koloa Jodo Mission
  • Shingon Mission of Hawaii
  • Lāhainā Jodo Mission
  • Hāwī Jodo Mission
  • Haleiwa Jodo Mission
  • Wahiawā Hongwanji Mission
  • Haleiwa Shingon Mission

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Kohala Historical Sites State Monument, Hawaii 96719, USA