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Luakini

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Luakini

In ancient Hawaii, a luakini temple, or luakini heiau, was a Native Hawaiian sacred place where human and animal blood sacrifices were offered.

In Hawaiian mythology, luakini heiaus were first established by Paʻao, a legendary priest credited with establishing many of the rites and symbols typical of the stratified high chieftainships of the immediate pre-European-contact period. Modern archaeologists no longer believe in a historic Pa'ao, but many Native Hawaiians still believe that he was a historical figure, and often vilify him for introducing what they now see as the bloody, barbarous rites of the luakini heiau.

List of currently known or reputed luakini heiaus:

Oʻahu:

  • Puʻu O Mahuka, "Hill of Escape"
  • Maui:

  • Loaloa Heiau
  • Big Island of Hawaiʻi:

  • Puʻukohola National Historic Site
  • Moʻokini, birthplace of Kamehameha I
  • Aha'ula (now engulfed by lava)
  • Keʻeku Heiau on Kahaluʻu Bay
  • References

    Luakini Wikipedia