For most of its history since then, it was used mainly by the Turaga to hold meetings and to recount legends, such as The Legend of Mata Nui. As part of its design, the Turaga made it so that only the assembled Makoki Stone could open the entrance to the tunnel underneath the Suva Kaita. The exterior of Kini-Nui consisted of two distinct regions, an upper area that contained the Suva Kaita and a lower area that consisted of the Amaja-Nui. The Amaja-Nui and other architecturally decorative elements of temple were built shortly after the Toa Metru and Matoran of Metru Nui came to the island.

This allowed the lair to be accessed through the Suva Kaita.

Makuta Teridax had inadvertently constructed his Mangaia lair near the Kini-Nui mechanism. When the Great Cataclysm caused the accidental deployment of the Great Spirit's camouflage system, the spires of Kini-Nui were deployed, piercing through the center of the newly-formed island of Mata Nui. Kini-Nui was retracted each time when the Great Spirit left a planet and extended each time when he landed. Another function is to allow residents of the Matoran Universe safe passage to his exterior if needed, through a passageway covered by the Suva Kaita. The main function of its spires is to be sensors for Mata Nui, informing him of surface events while he was observing a planet.

Kini-Nui operating system was created and installed by the Great Beings during their construction of the Great Spirit's planetary exploration system. Once deployed, it assumes the form of a temple, from which the meaning of its name, 'Great Temple', is derived. Kini-Nui is an element of the Great Spirit Mata Nui's planetary exploration system.

The island of mata nui