This panorama was taken at the point where permission to enter the valley was given through Hawaiian protocol. The lower valley was once forested in scrub Haole Koa and other exotic trees. Fires started by explosives slowly burned it all away. Now during the summer months the grass dries and there is great danger of fire. Fires have climbed all the way up to the crest of the valley rim endangering native vegetation growing there.
If my memory is correct from yesterday this Ahu was built in 2001 for a Makahiki celebration. It was to have been torn down after the Makahiki was over, but.... no one could find any protocal for taking down an Ahu and so it remains standing.
