#2 - The Temple Model

This small reconstruction gives you a closer look at Hawaiian building techniques.

NPS

Quick Facts

Location:

North side of the royal grounds

Designation:

National Register of Historical Places

Amenities

3 listed

Audio Description, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Scenic View/Photo Spot

This model is a scaled-down reconstruction of the Hale o Keawe royal mausoleum (stop 8). This model is partially thatched on three sides and open on one side.

Take a closer look at its construction. Do you see any nails? Hinges? Or metal at all? In ancient Hawaiʻi there was no metal available, so native Hawaiians used their ingenuity and developed techniques for locking in cross beams while securely fastening together the setting of the house with cordage twisted from plant fibers such as pōhuehue or ʻieʻie. The ingenuity of native Hawaiians lay in their ability to observe and adapt to their isolated island ecosystem in a remarkably sustainable and efficient way.

Do you ever wonder, in what ways can we apply the wisdom of the past to the world we live in today?