heiau

plural heiaus

1. HawaiiA temple in traditional Hawaiian society.

   The basalt was also piled to outline large squares in the ceremonial centres known as heiaus.

   2004, Richard Fortey, The Earth, Folio Society, published 2011, page 52

   1 more example

   They'd order lawbreakers put to death in fearsome ritualized killings that took place in a heiau, accompanied by beating drums and chants.

   2012, Julia Flynn Siler, Lost Kingdom, Grove Press 2012, page xix