Ahu'ena Heiau - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii Island, HI - Signs of History on Waymarking.com

After uniting the Hawaiian kingdom, Kamehameha I returned to rule from his compound at Kamakahonu (lit. eye of the turtle) from 1812 until his death in 1819. Ahu'ena Heiau, the religious temple that served Kamehameha, was rebuilt in the 1970s as an accurate 2/3 scale model replica.

The sign reads:

"Ahu'ena Heiau
Upon this paepae (stone platform) is a representation of Ahu'ena Heiau. Restored by Kamehameha I upon the unification of the pae'aina (island chain), he rededicated Ahu'ena to Lono, the god of peace and prosperity. The Hale O Lono (House of Lono) ceremonies were administred and guided by the Mo'o Lono (Lono Priestly Order) and primarily included prayers and food offerings to signify, represent, appease and invoke perpetual peace and abundance for the Kingdom.

Hale Mana (house of spiritual power) was a place for prayer, a meeting house for discussing Kingdom affairs, and a school where Kamehameha educated his heir, Liholiho, in matters pertaining to wise government. Here Liholiho received lectures from the leading kahuna (masters) of the arts, crafts, sciences, history, politics and religion. The structure was of strong poles thatched with ti leaves and trimmed with fern. Interior walls were covered with silky banana stalk sheathing. Soft mats covered the floor around a fire pit for roasting bananas.

Hale Pahu (drum house) sheltered the great ceremonial drum(s) of the temple. The structure is thatched with hala (pandanus) leaves.

Anu'u has been referred to as the "oracle tower" where the high priest received and proclaimed the answer of the gods to his petitions. This tower was the most distinctive feature of the temples of ruling chiefs.

Ki'i Akua (temple images) symbolized the presence of helpful gods who were ancestral to the worshippers. Carved with great virtuosity, ki'i akua of the distinctive Kona style are regarded as among the finest of all Polynesian art forms.

Lele were tall stands where offerings were presented to the gods.

Hale Nana Mahina'ai (house to see the gardens) is where Kamehameha I ordered the cultivation of the agricultural field named Kuahewa in the uplands of North Kona for sufficient food supply for his people. Kamehameha I would oversee the progress of Kuahewa from this site at Ahu'ena

Hale Kia'i Guard House"

Group that erected the marker: City of Kailua-Kona, Big Island URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: [Web Link] Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary: On NW edge of Kailua Bay, N and W of Kailua Wharf, Kailua-Kona, HI, US

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