For Hawaiians, the natural environment was imbued with religious significance. Geological features, plants and animals were often revered as kinolau, or manifestations of the many gods.
Building Pu‘ukoholā Heiau
This massive heiau, built by Kamehameha I in 1791 and dedicated to the war god Kūkā‘ilimoku, measures 224 feet by 100 feet and is buttressed by walls that run 20 feet wide at their base. The stones of the heiau are from Pololū Valley, 20 miles away. Each stone was passed by hand along a lengthy human chain. Building Pu‘ukoholā Heiau, painting by Herbert Kane, © Herbert K. Kane, LLC.
This massive heiau, built by Kamehameha I in 1791 and dedicated to the war god Kūkā‘ilimoku, measures 224 feet by 100 feet and is buttressed by walls that run 20 feet wide at their base. The stones of the heiau are from Pololū Valley, 20 miles away. Each stone was passed by hand along a lengthy human chain. Building Pu‘ukoholā Heiau, painting by Herbert Kane, © Herbert K. Kane, LLC.