190 BUREAU OF AMERICAlSr ETHNOLOGY [bult.-c 



At its northern extremity the high wall connects with a rear cor- 

 ner of an extensive heiau, which was either never completed or has 

 been partially demolished. The unfinished appearance of this, as 

 of all similar remains, is explained by the natives as being due to 

 the interrupted efforts at their construction by " the little people " 

 (fairies), thousands of whom took part in the work. They must 

 complete their task in one night ; at the first gleam of dawn they must 

 instantly disappear, leaving their work as it was at the moment, and 

 could never gather at that spot again. 



The highest part of the heiau wall still upright is about 10 feet; 

 but some of the stones within, promiscuously heaped, are 2 to 3 feet 

 higher. The structure is about 100 by 250 feet, longest on the line 

 from water to hill. A cross wall, possibly somewhat modified in 

 recent times, divides it into two unequal parts, the seaward por- 

 tion being nearly square and 5 feet higher than the part at the rear. 

 On the latter are small inclosures of stone, the space within them 

 paved with gravel. If of the same age as the remainder of the 

 structure they may have been for priestly seclusion or preparation, 

 though they may be houses of later natives who took advantage of 

 the foundation made by their ancestors. 



Measurements or clear descriptions of these remains are not pos- 

 sible, owing to overgrowth. A satisfactory study, to distinguish 

 between ancient and modern parts, or between undisturbed stones 

 and those not in their original position, would require careful survey 

 with transit and level after the brush is cleared away; and this 

 must be followed up with considerable excavation as well as re- 

 moval of loose rock; all of which would demand the labor of a 

 dozen men for three months. Even at that, there is no certainty 

 that definite knowledge would be gained ; but it is not to be had in 

 any other way. 



BURIAL. PLACES 



Near the top of a remnant of a crater rising from the shore line 

 of the ocean, 11 miles from Wailuku on the road to Kahakuloa, is 

 a stone wall built on the leeward slope, the only place on which 

 it could be constructed, as much the larger part of the crater has 

 been blown out into the sea. Between the wall and the summit are at 

 least a dozen stone-covered graves; possibly there are others not 

 seen, as much of the brush is impenetrable. Some of them are 

 sunken ; others appear quite recent. 



Many such graves are found on the dunes. They are all modern, 

 some of them still surrounded by the original wooden fences. 



