Luakini Explained

In ancient Hawaii, a luakini temple, or luakini heiau, was a Native Hawaiian sacred place where human and animal blood sacrifices were offered.

In Hawaiian tradition, luakini heiaus were first established by Paʻao, a legendary priest credited with establishing many of the rites and symbols typical of the stratified high chieftainships of the immediate pre-European-contact period.^[1]

List of currently known or reputed luakini heiaus:

Kauai

• Wailua Complex of Heiaus

Oʻahu

• Puu O Mahuka, "Hill of Escape"^[2]

Maui

• Loaloa Heiau

Big Island of Hawaiʻi

• Puukohola National Historic Site^[3]
• Moʻokini, birthplace of Kamehameha I^[4]
• Aha'ula (now engulfed by lava)
• Keʻeku Heiau on Kahaluʻu Bay^[5]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Pa'ao From Thrum, Emerson, and Kamakau. Hawaiian Voyaging Traditions. 27 May 2018.
2. Web site: Fournier. Rasa. Hiking Puu O Mahuka Heiau. Hawaii.com. 27 July 2016 . 27 May 2018.
3. Web site: Chapter VII: Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site. National Park Service. 29 May 2018.
4. Van James, Ancient Sites of Hawaiʻi, 1995, Mutual Publishing,, page 143
5. Web site: Hoʻihoʻi Kulana Wahi pana - Restoring Sacred Places . Kamehameha Investment Corporation . 2008 . 2009-12-28 .