Honolulu Star Bulletin. Tuesday, January 15, 1957 - Tales about Hawaii, Clarice B. Taylor
Neglected heaps of stones on Mapulehu ridge in southeastern Molokai mark the remains of the second largest heiau (stone temple) in all Hawaii.
The name Mapulehu (dust-rising wind) indicates that the beautiful site was always fanned by a breeze.
The heiau site is by a middle ridge between Mapulehu and Punaula ridge (Red Coral Ridge) a short distance inland from the southeast coast of Molokai.
It overlooks Kalohi Channel to the Island of Maui.
BEAUTIFUL SITE
The site is beautifully situated. Fresh water streams ran by it in ancient days to feed the fertile lands below the ridge and the fishponds situated near the shore.
Judging from the size of the heiau and the number of men required for its construction, the surround lands and the seacoast must have been well populated.
From earliest times, Molokai was noted for its great priests, men of intelligence and mana (spiritual power) gained by constant prayer.
SPECULATION
We can imagine how these intellectuals gained the Mapulehu site for the heiau.
It presumably happened after the ruling Ke Alii had asked the priests to observe religious ceremonies which would forecast whether or not he would be successful in his next raid on his neighbors across the channel.
Ke Alii was present at the service conducted under rigid kapu.
He heard the priests predict success for him and he feld secure in their prophecy since no sound had been heard during the service - all had been absolutely quiet.
A QUESTION
At the end of the ceremony while eating the pig which the king had provided for the sacrifice, the high priest turned to the king and asked:
"How was our service?"
The king jubilantly replied,
"Fine, fine."
The high priest quickly said,
Then could yo not give me that piece of land at Mapulehu? I want it for my kilokilo (star gazer) so that he can watch the heavens through a clear sky and forecast the star signs."
The king could do nothing else but say "yes."
Next: The Prediction.
* Note: The word, "feld" is original to this text.
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