The largest river of Kauai is located in Wailua (Two Waters). This area was highly populated and a major political and religious center of the ancient Kauai Kingdom. In those times it was known as Wailuanuiaho ano, “great sacred Wailua.”
The largest river of Kauai is located in Wailua (Two Waters). This area was highly populated and a major political and religious center of the ancient Kauai Kingdom. In those times it was known as Wailuanuiaho ano, “great sacred Wailua.” The region is endowed with many archaeological sites. Within a mile and a half of the river mouth are at least five important heiau: Poliahu. Hikinaakala, Malae, Kukui, and, possibly, Holoholoku.
If one follows Kuamoo (backbone) Road up the hill almost to the Opaekaa Falls lookout, one will find Poliahu heiau perched high above the Wailua River. The interior of Poliahu Heiau has a cobble-paved courtyard with many prismatic-shaped dike stone uprights that may once have represented deities worshiped in the temple. Archaeologist Wendell Bennett describes Poliahu as a walled rectangular enclosure 242 feet long by 165 feet wide having a 30 by 70 foot notch taken out of its southeast corner. Its massive foundation and commanding location suggest that it may have been a luakini heiau, where ruling chiefs asserted their rule and prepared for war by offering human sacrifice. Its name, however, is that of a snow goddess from Mauna Kea, perhaps a visitor seeking a handsome Kauai prince for a husband.
At the base of the backbone, at the bottom of the hill, can be found Holoholoku (to run and stand), also called Ka Lae o ka Manu, a large-walled structure usually described as a heiau but probably an ancient house site and burial ground for descendants of Kauai’s last king, Kaumualii.
In 1933, in cooperation with the Bishop Museum, the Kauai Historical Society cleared the site and restored its walls. Regardless of its ancient use, the immediately adjacent area is home to one of the most sacred spots on the island, the pohaku ho ohanau (birthstone) where the great chiefs of Kauai were said to have been born and pohaku piko (navel stone) where their umbilical chords were secreted away for protection following their births. The sacred character of Holoholoku is preserved in the legend of Kawelo:
The child of a chief born at Holoholoku is a high chief;
The child of a commoner born at Holoholoku becomes a chief,
The child of a high chief born outside of Holoholoku is no chief,
A commoner is he!
Stories celebrate KHS 100th anniversary
“Heiau and Sacred Places of Wailua” is the fifth of 12 stories leading to the 100th anniversary of the Kauai Historical Society.
The highlight will be a multicultural festival on May 10, when there will be dances, music, food and stories on the front lawn of the Historic County Building.
In the meantime, The Garden Island is working with the Kauai Historical Society on a centennial crossword puzzle contest. Here’s how it will work:
The Garden Island will publish 12 articles on Kauai history on successive Thursdays. The first was published Jan. 23. A crossword puzzle will be published by April 17 and also be available at the office of the Kauai Historical Society, Old County Building Ste. 101, Lihue. Answers to the puzzle will be found in the articles.
Here are the contest rules:
• The puzzle must be submitted by May 5 to KHS.
• Submissions may be mailed to P.O. Box 1778, Lihue, HI 96766 or to the office of the historical society.
• Winners will be determined by date and time of submission. If mailed, date will be the postmark and time will be 6 p.m. If delivered to the historical society office, the date and time will be stamped on the submission. Three prizes will be awarded, determined by the earliest date and time of submission.
• Winners will be announced at the centennial celebration May 10, Historic County Building.
