Mo'okini Heiau is an extremely impressive ancient site within a secluded coastal setting. The architectural features of this prehistoric temple include enclosure walls of basalt 'ala (waterworn) stones. Some of the walls reach a height of 30 feet. The longest part of the enclosure extends some 267 feet in length by 37 feet in width.

One of the smaller enclosures within this luakini heiau (temple of human sacrifice) is the ali'i nui shelter. Once enclosed by an ohi'a wood and pili grass structure, this area was where the ruling chiefs prayed, fasted, and offered human sacrifices. A scalloped altar is the focal point of the heiau and a trademark of Pa'ao, a kahuna from Kahiki who introduced a powerful religio-political order to the islands between the 10th and 13th centuries.

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