Nestled in the heart of residential Mānoa Valley, Kūka‘ō‘ō stands as the last intact walled heiau in the greater ahupua‘a of Waikīkī. Believed to have been built by Menehune, between 800-1000 years ago, the heiau is interpreted today as māpele, or an agricultural temple. Native Hawaiian gardens surround the heiau, featuring rare and endangered species, as well as plants introduced by Polynesians. Tour guides share stories of the area, a fertile region that Hawaiians farmed for centuries.
A cultural definition of heiau is a place of worship where mana (divine energy) is transferred and concentrated through ritual and prayer.
The 3D scans completed by Mid-Pacific Institute students are invaluable for preservation and documentation purposes now and in the future. The scans are a record should any unforeseen event occur, natural or otherwise. They will also allow visitors unable to access the site (due to physical limitations or geographic proximity), with a virtual experience of the sacred temple.
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