Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 5, Number 7, 1 July 1988 — Radiocarbon Dating Places Heiau Site at Over 800 Years [ARTICLE]

Radiocarbon Dating Places Heiau Site at Over 800 Years

The recent renovation of an ancient Hawaiian temple at Waimea Falls Park is nearing completion and findings indicate that the heiau was probably a "Hale O Lono." or house of the god of growth, and is over 800 years old. The site, located near the park's main parking lot, was first recorded in 1974 by the Bishop Museum. Rudy Leikaimana Mitchell, Waimea Falls Park historian and archaeologist, investigated the site in 1978 at whieh time he filed an archaeological survey report with the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Mitchell's renovation and reconstruction of the site began in December, 1987, with the removal of runoff sediment and boulders from the area. As the work progressed, it became increasingly clear that the underlying structures were remnants of a "Hale O Lono." "I first suspected that it was when I saw the presence of so mueh coral of the same species throughout the temple," said Mitchell. "As 1 eontinued to dig, other things pointed in that direction including the configuration of the heiau and the fact that the main platform faces east and is fully illuminated by the rising sun, typical of.this type of temple," said Mitchell. The ancient "Hale O Lono" was ascribed to the god of agricultural growth and rain and sacrifices

made there were thought to inc.lude pigs, symbolizing first born children, first born animals, the first fruits of the land and sea, the first portion of eaeh meal and the first products of any labor. "The ancient Hawaiians who worshipped there believed the whole of man and nature was produced by the god Lono and that man could not freely appropriate it, he was therefore required to return a portion of what he did use to Lono," commented Mitchell. Mitchell sent a sample of the coral found throughout the shrine, Pocillopora meandrina, to

Coral Gables, Fla. for radiocarbon dating. The results indicate the coral was harvested between 1070 and 1150 A.D. Because of the excellent eondition of the coral, it is believed that it was harvested live and brought directly to the shrine plaeing the date of the "Hale O Lono" at the same time. Mitchell was scheduled to complete construction of the perishable structures in May. He believes these structures onee stood on the site, including an oracle tower, opu tower and a "Hale O Lono."

Rudy Leikaimana Mitchell, Waimea Falls Park historian and archaeologist, with his trusty pipe and crow bar at Hale O Lono digging. This Monte Costa photo shows Mitchell and another park worker busy renovating and reconstructing the site with removal of runoff sediment and boulders.

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