heiau

English

Hale O Pi'ilani Heiau, the largest one known to exist, near Hana on Maui

Etymology

From Hawaiian heiau.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈheɪaʊ/

Noun

heiau (plural heiaus or heiau)

1. (Hawaii) A temple in traditional Hawaiian society.
   • 2004, Richard Fortey, The Earth, Folio Society, published 2011, page 52:

     The basalt was also piled to outline large squares in the ceremonial centres known as heiaus.

   • 2012, Julia Flynn Siler, Lost Kingdom, Grove Press 2012, page xix:

     They'd order lawbreakers put to death in fearsome ritualized killings that took place in a heiau, accompanied by beating drums and chants.