Ha’amonga ‘a Maui
The Ha'amonga 'a Maui is undoubtedly the most famous historical site in Tonga. Tu'i Tonga Tu'itatui, one of Tonga's early monarchs, is supposed to have built this ancient coral stone trilithon in the 13th century. Interpretation panels at the Niutoua site describe the historical hypotheses behind the megalith's construction, while Maka Faakinanga, or the "leaning stone," is a short walk behind the trilithon.
Ha'amonga 'a Maui is a strange TRILITHON on the island of Tongatapu, consisting of two standing stones with a lintel on top. It is around 17 feet tall and 19 feet long. Each slab of coral limestone weighs between 30 and 40 tons. It's been dubbed the "Stonehenge of the Pacific" due to its striking likeness.
The term "Maui's Burden" means "Maui's Burden" in Hawaiian, and because the stones are too big for people to lift, it is thought that the god Maui himself transported them from 'Uvea (Wallis Island) and built the monument. They currently live in a small natural preserve on the side of the road.
Archaeologists, on the other hand, appear to agree that the Ha'amonga was built as the entrance to a king's royal palace, Heket, in the early 13th century. It's been speculated that it could have been used for astrological purposes if not for that. However, none of these possibilities have been validated, and the origin of the massive trilithon remains a mystery.
Location: VX72+9Q9, Taufa'ahau Rd, Niutoua, Tonga
