Overview
This lecture concludes Unit 3 on Native Hawaiian religions, focusing on what is considered sacred, sites of worship, cultural comparisons, the Hawaiian calendar, and the significance of the Makahiki season.
Hawaiian Concepts of the Sacred
- Sacred in Hawaiian belief is tied to anything that produces or sustains life, especially land and natural resources.
- Respect for the environment is fundamental; harming resources disrupts life.
- Sacred sites include volcanoes (Kīlauea), birthing stones (Kūkaniloko), and significant plants (ʻŌhiʻa Lehua, Kalo).
Heiau: Hawaiian Religious Sites
- Heiau are religious sites built for worship and specific protocols, dedicated to different gods.
- Constructed mainly of lava rock, occasionally coral, and aligned with astronomical events like solstices and equinoxes.
- Types and sizes of heiau varied; some were sacrificial (luakini) and large, others small for local worship.
- Heiau still exist today; visitors must show respect and not disturb them.
Examples and Comparisons of Sacred Sites
- ʻUlupō Heiau (Oʻahu) is a large, preserved site used for agriculture and ritual.
- Puʻukoholā Heiau (Hawaiʻi Island) was a major sacrificial site where Kamehameha prepared for uniting the islands.
- Piʻilani Heiau (Maui) is the largest in the Pacific, with walls aligned to solstices and equinoxes.
- Tahitian equivalent, marae, use rounded stones to honor deities like Oro; Māori marae are community houses rich in carvings and ancestral stories.
Cultural Comparisons: Tahiti and Aotearoa
- Tahitian marae are stone complexes built to honor gods, featuring shaped stones and offering structures.
- Māori marae (New Zealand) are richly decorated meeting houses serving as centers for ceremony, knowledge, and genealogy.
- Māori rituals emphasize honoring ancestors, preparing for the future, and respecting mortality.
The Hawaiian Year & Religion
- The Hawaiian year is divided into two main seasons based on the lunar calendar: Kū (8 months, focused on work and war) and Lono (4 months, peace and agriculture/Makahiki).
- Activities like building, farming, fishing, war, and sacrifice were only allowed during Kū’s season.
Makahiki: The Season of Lono
- Makahiki (Oct/Nov–Feb/Mar) is a time for rest, peace, festivals, prayer, and games; no work, war, or sacrifice.
- Marked by rain, rough seas, and the rising of the Makaliʻi (Pleiades) constellation.
- Games such as ʻulumaika (stone disc rolling), kōnane (checkers), and hakamoa (boxing) develop skills, strategy, and environmental awareness.
Religion as Daily Life and Societal Structure
- Hawaiian religion permeates all aspects of life: societal rank, eating, environmental stewardship, and daily practices are all sacred.
- Gods are represented in natural elements, and religious knowledge is land-specific.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Heiau — Hawaiian temple or religious site of worship.
- Marae — Polynesian religious site (Tahitian/Māori equivalent to heiau).
- Makaliʻi — Pleiades star cluster, signals the start of Makahiki.
- Makahiki — Four-month season dedicated to Lono, marked by rest and festivities.
- Kū — God of war, politics, procreation; eight-month work season.
- Lono — God of peace, agriculture, fertility; honored during Makahiki.
- Pule — Prayer or ritual.
- Pohaku — Stone, used in heiau construction.
- Kino lau — Physical manifestations/forms of gods in nature.
- Pono — Harmony or balance.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review and study the key functions of heiau and Makahiki practices.
- Reflect on how the environment shapes religious worldview and daily practice.
- Prepare for next unit on changes in Hawaiian religious systems post-contact.