Fun fact: Malae Heiau was desecrated in the 1830s when the last Queen of Kauai Deborah Kapule tore down the interior walls and used it as a cattle pen. This was how she declared the ancient ways of kapu were dead and their society would thereafter be christian.
This is the most substantial sacred site on Kauai and one of the largest surviving temple platforms in the Hawaiian Islands. The heiau covers almost two acres and the original walls were 8-10 feet high and 8 feet wide with a ledge running around the inside for seating.
But it doesn't look like much from the path. Kauai county has unfortunately allowed the sugar cane to grow and grow so much that you can't really see the structure. So you gotta climb up. There are two small spaces where you can see the stone walls stacked by ancient Hawaiians. Once you get up there, you see it is huge. You feel the weight of this place
But it is a peaceful quarter-mile walk around the perimeter. It might be worth a stop for a leisurely stroll around what is still an important site, just across from Kauai Resort.
I hope the County will restore this. read more