This ahu is located southwest of the central enclosure and has a form that is unique both in relation to the other ahu and as a traditional Hawaiian architectural feature in general. The ahu is constructed of stacked pāhoehoe blocks up to 10 courses high, and has seven low curved walls that radiate from the base of the ahu, forming seven adjoining C-shape enclosures resembling ‘awe or tentacles.
There is mo‘olelo that references a battle in the mauka region between ‘Umi’s two rival sons, Keawenuia‘umi and Keli‘ikāloa, with Keawenuia‘umi taking refuge at Ahu a ‘Umi. The imagery and metaphor of tentacles is prominent through the names of these two chiefs: Keli‘ikāloa (lit. the chief of Kanaloa, whose main body form is the octopus) and Keawenuia‘umi (lit. the great tentacles of ‘Umi), and it is suggested that the ‘awe extending from this ahu may have been constructed to commemorate Keawenuia‘umi’s ultimate victory over Keli‘ikāloa.
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