Maraes are open-air temples where the ancient Polynesians  worshipped their gods. They were created out of rocks and were used as meeting  places and sometimes were owned by a particular family.  Marae Arahurahu at  PK22.5 in Paea was completely restored by Dr. Sinoto of the Bishop Museum in  Honolulu. It is about the size of a tennis court and has a flat platform where  animal and human offerings were left for the gods.  Here the only offering we had to make was to put a flower on the shoulder of the Tiki sculpture when we entered the grounds of the marae and then give the tiki a kiss. Tahiti’s version of the blarney stone!