Iliiliopae Heiau at a Glance
Iliiliopae Heiau, meaning "Pebbles of Chief Pae" or "Temple of the Shrimp," is an ancient Hawaiian temple site. Built in the 13th century to serve as a temple for sorcerers, the heiau is one of the largest and oldest religious sites in all of Hawaii. It also served as a temple for human sacrifice.
The massive stone platform measures 320 feet x 120 feet (98 m x 37 m). It is believed that the original structure was much larger than what remains today. The heiau could easily be seen by canoes coming from neighboring Maui. Thousands of stones were used to built this heiau, all placed by hand. A human chain was formed on the steep Wailua Trail and the stones were passed hand to hand for 8 miles (13 km) over the mountains.
Legend has it that Kamalo, a kahuna, or priest, once lost nine of his sons to the many ritual sacrifices that were conducted here. In retaliation, the kahuna prayed to his ‘aumakua (the shark god), who then sent floods that washed away most of the heiau.
Today, Iliiopae Heiau serves as a reflection site of Molokai's rich history. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors have to first seek permission to visit the heiau because the site is located on private property. Their phone number is 808-558-8132.
To get to the heiau, take Highway 450 east. The entrance to the heiau is located around mile marker #16, on the mountain side of the road. The gate to the trail is locked (people who wish to visit must seek permission first). It’s about a 10-minute hike from the gate. Visitors should keep in mind that this is a sacred religious site and that it is not allowed to move or remove any stones or to walk on them. Also, there are no facilities at the heiau.
Iliiliopae Heiau in Bullet Points
- Ancient Hawaiian temple site - place of ritual sacrifice
- One of the largest and oldest religious sites in
Hawaii
- Visitors need permission first to visit this heiau, call 808-558-8132
Iliiliopae Heiau Location
Address: 160 Farrington Ave., Kualapuu, Hawaii 96757
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Now
73°F
Windchill:
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Partly Cloudy
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Location: Kualapuu, HI, US
Wind: 16 mph NE
Humidity: 49%
Visibility: 0.1 mi
Pressure: 30.04 in falling
Sunrise: 6:33 am
Sunset: 6:39 pm
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Hi: 74°F
Low: 66°F
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Low: 68°F
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