Mo'okini
Encyclopedia
Kohala Historical Sites State Monument includes the National Historic Landmark
Mookini Heiau and the birthplace of Kamehameha I
.
It is located in remote North Kohala
on the Island of Hawaii
.
is a living spiritual temple and not just a historic artifact of the Hawaiian culture. Oral histories indicate an original temple may be 1500 years old. Evidence suggests the current temple was built on the site of a smaller older one, by Paao
, who brought the Hawaiian Religion
to the islands somewhere between 1100-1300 A.D.
The current site includes remains of the sacrificial temple measuring 250’ x 130’ with an open stone paved court enclosed by 20’-high stone walls, and the sacrificial stone. It is constructed of stones that are said to have been passed from hand to hand from the Pololū Valley
, over 12 miles (19.3 km) away. One myth holds that the temple was completed by menehune in one night.
Mookini means "many lineages" or "many Moo" in the Hawaiian Language
. Moo are large reptile goddesses honored by Hawaiians since before the time of Paao.
For centuries a strict set of rules (kapu
) were enforced at the heiau. It was a closed heiau reserved exclusively for the Alii Nui (the highest royalty) for praying and offering of human sacrifice
s to their gods. In Kohala
it was the focus of religious life and order. In November 1978 Kahuna Nui Leimomi Mookini rededicated the Mookini Luakini
to the “Children of the Land” (kama aina) and lifted the restrictive kapu. In doing this she made the site safe for all persons to enter the heiau and created a place of learning for future generations to discover the past. Her family has been taking care of the temple for centuries.
A few hundred yards away is Kamehameha Akahi ʻĀina Hānau, the birthplace of Kamehameha the Great
. He is said to have been born here in 1758 as Halley's Comet
passed overhead. The entrance to the site is on the south side. A rock is said to mark the precise place of the birth of Kamehameha.
and is located about 1½ miles off the Akoni Pule Highway
.
Turn North on Upolu Point road near the town of Hawi, and West at the small air strip.
A four wheel drive vehicle is recommended, especially if it has been raining.
The birthplace includes a sign and enclosure located at coordinates 20°15′20"N 155°52′58"W.
The Heiau was declared a National Historic Landmark
on December 29, 1962, and added to the National Register of Historic Places
in 1966 as site 66000284.
A clear day provides a striking view of Maui
.
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
Mookini Heiau and the birthplace of Kamehameha I
Kamehameha I
Kamehameha I , also known as Kamehameha the Great, conquered the Hawaiian Islands and formally established the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1810. By developing alliances with the major Pacific colonial powers, Kamehameha preserved Hawaii's independence under his rule...
.
It is located in remote North Kohala
Kohala, Hawaii
thumb|right|300px|The districts of the [[Hawaii |Big Island]]. From Northernmost, clockwise; Kohala , [[Hamakua|Hāmākua]], [[Hilo, Hawaii|Hilo]], [[Puna, Hawaii|Puna]], [[Kau, Hawaii|Kaū]], [[Kona District, Hawaii|Kona]]...
on the Island of Hawaii
Hawaii (island)
The Island of Hawaii, also called the Big Island or Hawaii Island , is a volcanic island in the North Pacific Ocean...
.
History
Mookini Heiau is one of oldest historical sites in Hawaii and among its most sacred. This heiauHeiau
A heiau is a Hawaiian temple. Many types of heiau existed, including heiau to treat the sick , offer first fruits, offer first catch, start rain, stop rain, increase the population, ensure health of the nation, achieve success in distant voyaging, reach peace, and achieve success in war . Only the...
is a living spiritual temple and not just a historic artifact of the Hawaiian culture. Oral histories indicate an original temple may be 1500 years old. Evidence suggests the current temple was built on the site of a smaller older one, by Paao
Pa'ao
Paao is either a figure from a Hawaiian legend or a historical character. He is said to have been a high priest from Kahiki, specifically "Wawau" and "'Upolu." In Hawaiian prose and chant, the term "Kahiki" is applied in reference to any land outside of Hawai'i, although the linguistic root is...
, who brought the Hawaiian Religion
Hawaiian religion
Hawaiian religion is the term used to describe the folk religious beliefs and practises of the Hawaiian people. It is unrelated to, though commonly confused with, the philosophy of Huna....
to the islands somewhere between 1100-1300 A.D.
The current site includes remains of the sacrificial temple measuring 250’ x 130’ with an open stone paved court enclosed by 20’-high stone walls, and the sacrificial stone. It is constructed of stones that are said to have been passed from hand to hand from the Pololū Valley
Pololu Valley
Pololū is the Northernmost of a series of erosional valleys forming the east coast of Kohala Mountain on the Island of Hawaii. The word Pololū means long spear in the Hawaiian language.- Features :...
, over 12 miles (19.3 km) away. One myth holds that the temple was completed by menehune in one night.
Mookini means "many lineages" or "many Moo" in the Hawaiian Language
Hawaiian language
The Hawaiian language is a Polynesian language that takes its name from Hawaii, the largest island in the tropical North Pacific archipelago where it developed. Hawaiian, along with English, is an official language of the state of Hawaii...
. Moo are large reptile goddesses honored by Hawaiians since before the time of Paao.
For centuries a strict set of rules (kapu
Kapu
Kapu refers to the ancient Hawaiian code of conduct of laws and regulations. The kapu system was universal in lifestyle, gender roles, politics, religion, etc. An offense that was kapu was often a corporal offense, but also often denoted a threat to spiritual power, or theft of mana. Kapus were...
) were enforced at the heiau. It was a closed heiau reserved exclusively for the Alii Nui (the highest royalty) for praying and offering of human sacrifice
Human sacrifice
Human sacrifice is the act of killing one or more human beings as part of a religious ritual . Its typology closely parallels the various practices of ritual slaughter of animals and of religious sacrifice in general. Human sacrifice has been practised in various cultures throughout history...
s to their gods. In Kohala
Kohala, Hawaii
thumb|right|300px|The districts of the [[Hawaii |Big Island]]. From Northernmost, clockwise; Kohala , [[Hamakua|Hāmākua]], [[Hilo, Hawaii|Hilo]], [[Puna, Hawaii|Puna]], [[Kau, Hawaii|Kaū]], [[Kona District, Hawaii|Kona]]...
it was the focus of religious life and order. In November 1978 Kahuna Nui Leimomi Mookini rededicated the Mookini Luakini
Luakini
In ancient Hawai'i, a luakini temple, or luakini heiau, was a Native Hawaiian sacred place where human and animal blood sacrifices were offered....
to the “Children of the Land” (kama aina) and lifted the restrictive kapu. In doing this she made the site safe for all persons to enter the heiau and created a place of learning for future generations to discover the past. Her family has been taking care of the temple for centuries.
A few hundred yards away is Kamehameha Akahi ʻĀina Hānau, the birthplace of Kamehameha the Great
Kamehameha I
Kamehameha I , also known as Kamehameha the Great, conquered the Hawaiian Islands and formally established the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1810. By developing alliances with the major Pacific colonial powers, Kamehameha preserved Hawaii's independence under his rule...
. He is said to have been born here in 1758 as Halley's Comet
Comet Halley
Halley's Comet or Comet Halley is the best-known of the short-period comets, and is visible from Earth every 75 to 76 years. Halley is the only short-period comet that is clearly visible to the naked eye from Earth, and thus the only naked-eye comet that might appear twice in a human lifetime...
passed overhead. The entrance to the site is on the south side. A rock is said to mark the precise place of the birth of Kamehameha.
Location
Kohala Historical Sites State Monument can only be reached by a dirt road from Upolu AirportUpolu Airport
Upolu Airport is a regional airport of the State of Hawai'i in Hawai'i County. Located on the northern tip of the Big Island, Upolu Airport is northwest of the unincorporated town of Hawi.- Facilities and aircraft :...
and is located about 1½ miles off the Akoni Pule Highway
Akoni Pule Highway
The Akoni Pule Highway, Hawaii State Highway Route 270, is the main road along the North Kohala Coast on the Island of Hawaii from Kawaihae to Upolu Point and then on to Pololū Valley Lookout.* Total miles = 27.0 -History:...
.
Turn North on Upolu Point road near the town of Hawi, and West at the small air strip.
A four wheel drive vehicle is recommended, especially if it has been raining.
The birthplace includes a sign and enclosure located at coordinates 20°15′20"N 155°52′58"W.
The Heiau was declared a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
on December 29, 1962, and added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1966 as site 66000284.
A clear day provides a striking view of Maui
Maui
The island of Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands at and is the 17th largest island in the United States. Maui is part of the state of Hawaii and is the largest of Maui County's four islands, bigger than Lānai, Kahoolawe, and Molokai. In 2010, Maui had a population of 144,444,...
.