Pi'ilanihale Heiau

Pi'ilanihale Heiau is a massive ancient Hawaiian temple at Kahanu Garden in Hana, with dry-stacked stone walls, canoe plants and east Maui history.

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Pi'ilanihale Heiau

Pi'ilanihale Heiau, Maui

Pi'ilanihale Heiau is quite an impressive sight. It is the largest heiau in all of Hawaii, encompassing almost 3 acres, which equals the size of two football fields. Standing next to it, it is impossible not to feel dwarfed by it. Its stone platform measures more than 415 feet (126 m) in length and 340 feet (103 m) in width and dates back to the late 13th century.

The heiau was built out of precisely fitted lava rock and is unique in that it features a construction that can't be observed at any other heiau in Hawaii. Its northern wall is 50 feet (15 m) high with five steep, terraced steps. The lush surroundings, including tropical flowers, coconut palms and breadfruit trees, add to the mystic atmosphere of old Hawaii.

The heiau is located on a bluff in East Maui, 4 miles (6.4 km) north of Hana, and has been incorporated into the Kahanu Garden, which is part of the National Tropical Botanical Gardens. To see the heiau, you'll have to enter Kahanu Garden. They offer guided and self-guided tours.

The name Pi'ilanihale means "house of Pi'ilani" in the Hawaiian language. The exact history of the heiau is shrouded in mystery. It may have been built by one of the Hana chiefs during the time when Maui was divided, with two ruling chiefs, one in Hana and the other in the rest of Maui. The heiau was rededicated by chief Pi'ilani in the 16th century when he united all of Maui.

Key Features

Ancient Hawaiian heiau inside Kahanu Garden in Hana
Address is 650 Ulaino Road, Hana, HI 96713
Believed to be the largest ancient structure in Polynesia
Registered National Historic Landmark
Associated with Chief Pi'ilani and east Maui cultural history
Kahanu Garden includes canoe plants and coastal cultural landscapes
Online reservations are encouraged
Self-guided garden hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Guided tours are currently Friday at 9:30 am and require reservations
Pi'ilanihale Heiau is known for massive dry-stacked stone walls, sacred history, Kahanu Garden setting and Hana coast cultural heritage

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Pi'ilanihale Heiau so important?

Pi'ilanihale Heiau is believed to be the largest ancient structure in Polynesia, making it one of Maui's most important cultural and archaeological places.

Who was Pi'ilani?

Pi'ilani was a powerful 16th-century Maui chief, remembered for unifying large parts of Maui and for major public works connected with his reign.

What is the connection with Kahanu Garden?

The heiau is the cultural center of Kahanu Garden, where native and canoe plants help explain the relationship between people, food, medicine, land and ceremony.

What are canoe plants?

Canoe plants are plants brought by Polynesian voyagers for food, medicine, fiber, tools and daily life, including taro, breadfruit, banana and coconut.

How should visitors behave near the heiau?

Stay on marked paths, keep distance from the stones, avoid loud behavior and leave the site unchanged. The heiau is a sacred cultural place, not a climbable ruin.