Wahaʻula Heiau
Scale model
Made in 1902 by Bishop Museum archaeologist J.F.G. Stokes, using stones from the real Wahaʻula Heiau on the island of Hawaiʻi
Today, the wind blows over the desolate lava flows of the eastern slope of Kīlauea, with little sign of human presence. More than two decades of constant eruptions from the Puʻu ʻŌʻō volcanic vent have drastically changed the landscape of this region of the island of Hawaiʻi. Where there were once roads, trails, villages, and heiau, or Hawaiian temples, now there are only the gently rolling swales of pāhoehoe lava flows.
This stark landscape was the home of one of the most important and ancient heiau in all of the Hawaiian Islands — Wahaʻula, or "red mouth." This temple stood from its creation more than 800 years ago until 1997, when flowing lava overran it, covering all but the tops of its outer walls.
Wahaʻula belonged to special and rare class of heiau called luakini. Only kings could order their construction and their consecration required human sacrifice. This type of heiau was not brought to Hawai'i by its first settlers, but rather by the high priest Paʻao, around the year 1250.
Legend says that Paʻao voyaged from Kahiki (alternately identified as either Tahiti or Samoa) after a falling out with his brother, Lonopele. His canoes made landfall in the Puna region of island of Hawaiʻi, where he led the construction of Wahaʻula and instituted the luakini ritual. Later, stories tell that he travelled to the other side of Hawaiʻi island and founded another important heiau in Kohala called Moʻokini.
Over the centuries, and across the island chain, heiau came in many different forms and were used for different functions. Some were consecrated to gain the favor of the gods for war-making, while others were dedicated to agricultural rituals to increase the bounty of the land.