Mo'okini Luakini Heiau

One of the oldest and most historically significant temples in the Hawaiian islands, Mo'okini Luakini Heiau sits on a grassy knoll near 'Upolu Point at the northern tip of the Big Island. The massive structure, which measures about 250ft by 125ft, with walls 6ft high, was a 'closed' heiau, reserved for ali'i nui (kings and ruling chiefs) for fasting, praying and offering of human sacrifices to their gods.

There's a clear view of Maui and, during winter, humpback whales, from the heiau site. There are no facilities. The heiau was dedicated to the god Ku, and built from 'sunrise to first light' by up to 18,000 'little people' passing water-worn basalt stones in complete silence from Pololu Valley - a distance of 14 miles - under the supervision of Kuamo'o Mo'okini. According to Mo'okini genealogical charts, the heiau was built around AD 480. Five hundred years later Pa'ao, a priest from Samoa, raised the walls to 30ft and changed the altar to a scalloped shape as his ho'okupu (offering) to the gods. He was the first to introduce human sacrifices in an effort to stem dilution of the royal bloodlines and to enforce stricter moral codes of conduct. In 1963 the National Park Service designated Mo'okini Luakini Heiau as Hawaii's first registered National Historic Landmark. Fifteen years later it was deeded to the state.