Mookini Heiau, Big Island

Mookini Heiau at a Glance

A dramatic (and somewhat gruesome) history surrounds the Mookini Heiau in Kohala, Big Island. Between the 11th and 12th centuries, back when Hawaii was an anarchy, a Tahitian priest named Paao came to the island and brought order and structure to the community. Unfortunately, this order came with a new tradition: human sacrifice. The heiau still bears the recessed slab where actual human sacrifices were made, and some visitors swear they can feel the spirits roaming the temple.

Despite the air of dark mystery surrounding the place, Mookini is one of the most significant historic sites in Hawaii. You can feel its power even as you drive to the site, over a dusty hillside, under rushing clouds, and amidst a wind so strong you can hardly hear above it. The temple is made from old stones allegedly hand-carried by a chain of slaves, all the way from Pololu Valley around 14 miles away.

The heiau wasn’t purely a place of suffering. When there were no sacrifices, the priests allegedly used the temple to communicate with the gods and their long-dead ancestors. People who had lost family members often found refuge in the temple, as they could feel their loved ones’ presence within its walls.

After visiting Mookini, lighten up with some swimming or snorkeling at the nearby Kapaa Beach. The beach is just a short walk away and has some of the best underwater views on the island. From the shore, you can even catch a glimpse of the neighbor island, Maui, about thirty miles away.

Mookini Heiau in Bullet Points

Mookini Heiau Location

Address: Hwy 270, Near Upolu Airport, Hawi, HI 96725

Mookini Heiau Map (top)

Holualoa Weather (top)

Now
77°F
Windchill:
77°F
Fair
Location: Holualoa, HI, US
Wind: 5 mph NE
Humidity: 56%
Visibility: 0.1 mi
Pressure: 30 in rising
Sunrise: 6:35 am
Sunset: 5:44 pm Fri
Hi: 70°F
Low: 58°F
Partly Cloudy
Sat
Hi: 70°F
Low: 58°F
Partly Cloudy