Ha'amonga 'a Maui

The Ha'amonga 'a Maui consists of three massive coral limestone slabs forming a gateway structure measuring 5.2 meters in height and 5.8 meters in length.

King Tu'itatui, the eleventh Tu'i Tonga, commissioned this monumental gateway in the 13th century as an entrance to his royal compound called Heketā.

The name translates to 'Burden of Maui' in Tongan, connecting the structure to Polynesian mythology and demonstrating the engineering capabilities of ancient Pacific peoples.

Visitors can access the trilithon site daily and combine their visit with the nearby 'esi maka faakinanga stone throne, located within walking distance.

The structure features deep mortises carved into the top of each upright stone, designed to secure the massive lintel weighing between 30 and 40 tons.

Inception: 13 century

Founders: Tu'itatui

Height: 5.2 m

Length: 5.8 m

GPS coordinates: -21.13667,-175.04806

Latest update: March 2, 2025 20:57