The heiaus of old Hawai'i are around today. Heiaus could be used to do hula. Another word for a heiau is temple. Usually when a heiau was built it was usually because a chief wanted it to be built. A heiau could also be used for doing prayers. A heiau had two main services; one addressed to Ku and one addressed to Lono. Lono and Ku are gods of Hawai'i. Heiaus were usually built on hill tops or high places. Some heiaus were small shrines, others were very large structures. Heiaus were built for special puposes and were dedicated to specific spirits.

Luakini were the largest and most elaborate heiau. they were built by the highest chiefs and dedicated to Ku. Waihau were agricultural heiau for the worship of Lono, the spirit of peace. Prayers were made here for food crops. The main offerings were bananas, coconuts and pigs. Heiau ho'ola were heiaus for treating the sick. Of all the Polynesians only the Hawaiians had a special heiau for healing. There was at least one heiau ho'ola in each district.