The bulldozing and desecration of Hawea Heiau in Maunalua (Hawai'i Kai) is a travesty.

Mahalo. Our kupuna are calling out to us for help.

I have heard them and this blog is given them a voice in this blog site - people can see and read what's going on and help Hawea.

Just a few things:

In discussion with kupuna and cultural experts they have shared a heiau is not just the temple that is sacred - the materials; rock walls, structures etc, - but it is the land itself that is sacred. This is why you'll find one heiau built over another through history, they are building on the sacred site. Parts of Hawea have been bulldozed but they can be rebuilt on the same land because the land is sacred, the land is the link between humans and the our Hawaiian gods.

When I wrote "A copy of this agreement was supposed to have been shared with the community before any work was done per information provided by the SHPD office. "

To be completely clear, a copy of the agreement was supposed to have been given to the community by the developer before any work was done per information provided by the SHPD office.

The bulldozing and desecration of Hawea Heiau in Maunalua (Hawai'i Kai) is a travesty. Our community is both sad and angry. Where is the respect for our wahi pana (sacred places) and our kupuna? How can we all come together to save the iwi and archeological features that call to us for help?

Aloha

annmarie@hawaii.rr.com


Wednesday, June 17, 2009

What is a Heiau

Heiau

From Wikipedia

A heiau is a Hawaiian temple. At least nine types of heiau existed, including heiau for treating the sick (heiau hōʻola), for offering first fruits, for offering first catch, for offerings to start rain, or to stop rain, for human sacrifice and for success in war. Some consisted of simple earth terraces, while others were elaborately constructed stone platforms.

The heiau most commonly preserved are war temples of the later period of history (e.g. Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site). They are comprised of large stone platforms with various structures built upon them. The structures were used to house priests, sacred ceremonial drums, sacred items, and cult images representing the gods associated with that particular temple. There were also altars (Ahu) on which to offer sacrifices (plant, animal and human). The heiau were sacred places; only the kahuna (priests) and certain sacred ali'i (high chiefs) were allowed to enter.

The largest heiau currently known to exist, Hale O Pi'ilani Heiau, is a massive, three-acre platform with fifty foot retaining walls located in Hāna on Maui. Built for Pi'ilani, it dates back to the 1200s.[1]

The kapu or 'ai kapu system was abolished in October, 1819 by Liholiho, Kamehameha II. The abolition of the kapu system ended the use of heiau as places of worship and sacrifice. A period referred to as the 'Ai Noa or "free eating" followed. Missionaries arrived in 1820, and most of the aliʻi converted to Christianity, including Kaʻahumanu and Keōpūolani, but it took 11 years for Kaʻahumanu to proclaim laws against ancient religious practices. All heiau were officially abandoned; most were destroyed over the years. Often they were broken up and plowed under to make way for fields of sugar cane. However, some of the families who were responsible for the heiau have continued the tradition of caring for them to this day.

Pukui, Mary Kawena; Samuel Hoyt Elbert (1986) [1957]. Hawaiian Dictionary (Revised ed.). Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 0824807030.

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