Ancient pyramid in Kapoho

[Peter Epperson]

It sound like Chief Umi built an astronomical observatory. I wonder if he would be a supporter of TMT on Mauna Kea. Kudos to Umi. Stink eyes to King Kalakaua who had the observatory dismantled to build his palace. Talk about desecration of sacred sites!!

[missydog1]

quote:

---

Stink eyes to King Kalakaua who had the observatory dismantled to build his palace. Talk about desecration of sacred sites!!

---

I wonder. Given that the Freemason and Rosicrucian philosophies were highly connected to sacred and ancient astronomical sites, it seems very odd to me that a Masonic Master, which Kalakaua was, as well as a Rosicrucian, would desecrate such a site. I think there must be more to the story.

After finding the mention of Kalakaua being a 33rd degree Masonic Master yesterday, I did some more research and there is lots of confirmation on that. In fact, the first social function ever held at Iolani was held on the primary Masonic holiday and was a Masonic Banquet.

Queen Liliu'okalani's husband was also a high-ranking mason.
Interesting reading if you are at all interested by the Illuminati and secret societies.

I wonder what condition the "pyramid" was in when the stones were "harvested." Perhaps it was really far gone. King Umi reigned 500 years before Kalakaua.

[Sue Nomie]

We also found this place a few years ago. We hiked in and looked for directional stones. You can just make out one of the two pillars on the coast, that if I remember correctly are in line with the summer and winter solstice. We could only really make out one.
The site was very overgrown and we almost missed the whole site while standing in it. We returned several months later and was happy to see vegetation being removed. I hope the research continues to reveal the importance of this place.

[Peter Epperson]

KathyH, I like the Mason theory. Who knows? I agree that the condition of the structure might have been in bad shape after spending 500 years in an earthquake and lava prone area, but it was still recognizable as a pyramid and presumably could have been restored. I think we lost something very unique.

[missydog1]

totally agree, Peter.
It is hard to fathom why it was not preserved and restored. Wonder if the story is out there somewhere.

[Rob Tucker]

Ancient works have most regularly fallen into disrepair and been scavenged for material. Much easier to cart off pieces of the Roman Coliseum than to quarry limestone from scratch... as long as no one is there to stop you. Easy to imagine one Hawaiian era making use of the neglected parts and pieces of hundreds of years ago.

[csgray]

I think it is important to put things like this in historical perspective.

When the Kapu system was abolished at the beginning of the reign of King Kamehameha II, the entire Hawaiian religious system was officially abandoned, contemporary Heiaus were destroyed and use to build walls, docks, and roads. Some individuals continued some of the old practices, but with the arrival of the missionaries right after the end of the Kapu system, Hawaii became a primarily Christian nation. So the discovery of carefully hewn stones in Kapoho probably did not signify anything cosmic to the Hawaiians of the mid 1800s who used them as building materials. Kalakaua himself may not have had anything to do with the decision to bring those stones to Oahu, it may have just been a decision by the building crew to make the work easier.

We see it as a historical loss of a priceless historical artifact, but we have the advantage of 20/20 hindsight. At the time, it was probably seen as just a bunch of hewn stones, no one present may have even known what they were, or who originally built them, for what purpose.

Carol

[Kapohocat]

That book is neat hearing about the history and people like John Young just mentioned casually about having them over for dinner! Thank you for the link!

[Peter Epperson]

Well, I do understand the cultural dynamics involved and today ain't what is was yesterday. Or tomorrow. But I do feel a real loss when I hear of the Conquistadors destroying all in their path including 1 million books in Aztec libraries because they saw no representations of Jesus. Or maybe because they had gold fever? Or the Taliban bombing representations of Buddha because, as with the Spanish, it threatens their religion. Most generations wouldn't understand our current desire to preserve lost technologies and treasures. It may be a passing fad but I think preserving the past is a good tool to help us understand our current place in the scheme of things. OK, Kalakaua may have been innocent and all the others may have had good intentions (even the missionaries), but what a shame!

[csgray]

Peter,
I agree about the importance of preserving wonders from the past. But it is a huge leap from those who consciously steal or destroy the treasures of other cultures like the British in Egypt, or the Conquistadors in the Americas, to hewn stones of an abandoned temple being used as the foundation of the Royal Palace that was built in an attempt to put Hawaii on an equal footing with other sovereign nations.

Kalakau was a progressive thinker for his era, not just in Hawaii, but on a global scale. Iolani Palace had electricity before the White House did, he could read and write fluently in several languages, and actively supported scientific learning and scholarship. But he also brought back Hula and many other traditional practices after they had been banned by the missionaries. It was a complicated time of transitions, if he had lived longer the Kingdom of Hawaii might not have been overthrown in the way it was, because he had close relationships with so many respected and powerful leaders of sovereign nations who might have backed Hawaii's claims of sovereignty as a legitimate nation, according to signed treaties.

It is easy for us to look back and say what "they" should have done, the question is: what is happening now that is more of the same? The Buddhas in Afghanistan and the 3 Gorges Dam are excellent examples of how this sort of destruction of our collective cultural heritage is continuing today.

Carol