The Ahu on Haleakala
June 30 2006 • Haleakala Summit, Maui
After a dedication and blessing of an astronomical facility, a small group of people were offered a view of a pair of recently constructed ahu, or Hawaiian alters.
These are pictures of the ahu located on a bluff looking east, toward the Big Island. You can see Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa in the background of the center picture.
These are pictures of the ahu located on the other side of Puu Kolekole, that overlooks Maui valley to the west. The pathways leading to both ahu are smooth and well-defined. The true summit of Haleakala was not chosen for the location of the ahu because of the visitor station's proximity. The chosen sites offer unrestricted views of the sunrise and sunset and are secluded to offer privacy to Hawaiian groups wishing to conduct cultural practices.