Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
rows is a reconstruction from 1966 of the original wood-frame church, constructed in
1874 by the missionary Father Damien.
TOP OF CHAPTER
ʻIliʻiliʻopae Heiau
Where's Unesco when you need it?
ʻIliʻili-ʻopae
(off Hwy 450; car )
is Molokaʻi's biggest
heiau and is thought to be the second largest in Hawaii. It also might possibly be the old-
est religious site in the state. Yet this remarkable treasure is barely known, even by many
locals.
The dimensions are astonishing: over 300ft long and 100ft wide, and about 22ft high
on the eastern side, and 11ft high at the other end. The main platform is strikingly level.
Archaeologists believe the original heiau may have been three times its current size,
reaching out beyond Mapulehu Stream. Like the fishponds, this heiau represents an ex-
traordinary amount of labor by people with no real tools at their disposal.
Once a
luakini
(temple of human sacrifice), ʻIliʻiliʻopae is today silent except for the
singing of birds. African tulip and mango trees line the trail to the site, a peaceful place
filled with mana (spiritual essence), whose stones still seem to emanate vibrations of a
mystical past. Remember: it's disrespectful to walk across the top of the heiau.
Visiting this heiau is a little tricky, since it's on private property. Park on the highway
(to avoid upsetting the neighbors) or, better yet, up the road near the market and walk
back along the main road (about half a mile).
The trail is on the
mauka
(inland) side of the highway, just over half a mile past mile
marker 15, immediately after Mapulehu Bridge. Look for the gated dirt track into the
trees and a fire hydrant.
Walk up this dirt track off the main road, pass the roundabout around a patch of trees
and continue up the rocky road. Soon after, you'll see a trail on the left-hand side, oppos-
ite a house, that will take you across a streambed. Head to the steps on the northern side
of the heiau.
For more info about crossing the property, call the owner Pearl Hodgins on
Talk to either and you are good to go; both are very nice.
