#11 - ʻĀleʻaleʻa

The ʻĀleʻaleʻa is not fully restored, picture something similar to the Hale o Keawe site on top.

NPS

Quick Facts

Location:

Puʻuhonua

Significance:

Heiau (temple)

Designation:

National Register of Historic Places

Amenities

3 listed

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

The ascribing of proper names to places such as temples and important sites of gathering and habitation, is a long standing tradition in Hawaiʻi. ʻĀleʻaleʻa is the proper name given to this particular temple complex, and refers to the star Hōkūle‘a or Arcturus which travels along the zenith at this location.

The structure you see before you is a stabilized restoration of the remnants of this ancient temple, which over the course of several centuries was built and then expanded on in seven stages. This rectangular, stone-set structure is an example of a characteristic style of heiau called māpele. A fully restored heiau of this style would include a complex of temple houses, furnished with ki’i, and enclosed with a wooden palisade called paehumu, much like the Hale o Keawe site you see today.