The Largest Temple In All Of Polynesia Is Found Right Here In Hawaii At The Piʻilanihale Heiau
By Megan Shute|Published January 08, 2020
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
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 the rain, to increase the population, achieve success in distant voyaging, ensure a nation’s health, or reach peace, for example. You’ll find the remnants of these temples across the Hawaiian Islands, and while all are sacred, the Pi’ilanihale Heiau is the largest in Polynesia.
Found off Maui’s famous Hana Highway within the stunning Kahanu Garden — one of only five gardens within the National Tropical Botanical Garden — is the unique Pi’ilanihale Heiau. This place of worship is one of the most important on the island of Maui, and you’ll want to add it to your island bucket list.
Not only is this ancient temple a National Historic Landmark, but it is believed to be the largest temple of its kind in the Hawaiian Islands — and Polynesia as a whole. It is also one of the most well-preserved heiaus in the state.
Built from basalt blocks carried by hand from as far away as Hana Bay, this massive temple extends 341 by 415 feet with a high front wall rising to a height of 50 feet. Situated on a broad ridge that only adds to its majesty, the large central terrace features two separate platforms.
Construction of the main terrace dates all the way back to the 14th century, and wings were later added and redirected during the 16th century after high chief Pi’ilani conquered the beautiful, fertile Hana region, unifying the entire island.
Anthropologists once believed that, due to its size, Pi’ilanihale Heiau functioned as a state luakini heiau that served a district or a kingdom. But today, many anthropologists theorize that it was used as a residence — Pi’ilanihale means “house of Pi’ilani” in Hawaiian.
The temple sat untouched and undisturbed until 1974 when 61 acres of land surrounding the heiau was deeded to the National Tropical Botanical Garden. The garden agreed to restore and care for the temple in exchange for the land, and today, it is open to the public for viewing.
To reach Pi’ilanihale Heiau, history buffs will embark on a walking trail through the garden — passing by a vast selection of plants with interpretive signs explaining their histories and uses. Guests can either tour the garden on their own or with a guide.
The Pi’ilanihale Heiau is tucked away inside Kahuna Gardens and is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. They are closed Sundays. For more information, head on over to the National Park Service website. Have you experienced this unique slice of history for yourself yet? If so, share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
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