Wailua Complex of Heiaus
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Wailua Complex of Heiaus
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Pōhaku Hoʻohānau (birthing stone) and Pōhaku Piko (umbilical stone), Holoholokū Heiau
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| Nearest city | Wailua, Hawaii |
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| Coordinates | 22°2′41″N 159°20′14″W / 22.04472°N 159.33722°WCoordinates: 22°2′41″N 159°20′14″W / 22.04472°N 159.33722°W |
| NRHP Reference # | 66000297 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHLD | December 29, 1962 |
Wailua River State Park and the Wailua Complex of Heiaus, which it includes, are located on the eastern side of the Hawaiian island of Kauai. The park consists primarily of the Wailua River valley, which is the only navigable river in Hawaii. Visitors to this park can kayak, take riverboat cruises and explore the rainforest. Even motorboats and water skiing are permissible on the river.
The Wailua Complex, a National Historic Landmark, was once the center of chiefly power on the island. It contains the remains of several important structures: places of worship (heiau), places of refuge (puʻuhonua), and sites related to royal births. The most important sites are:
Of these, only Holoholokū has been largely restored.
Hikinaakalā Heiau
Kiʻi Pōhaku image
Hauola Heiau altar
Ka Lae O Ka Manu Heiau (from near birthing stones)
Poliʻahu Heiau (looking inland)
Poliʻahu Heiau (looking seaward)
Poliʻahu Heiau view of Wailua River mouth and Malae Heiau hillside
Poliʻahu Heiau view of Wailua River, Kamokila Hawaiian Village (at right), and Fern Grotto tour boat
Kamokila Hawaiian Village
Sketch by Hiram Bingham I
Wailua was the land of the ali'i (kings) and was one of the largest ahupuaʻa (subdivisions) on Kauai. It is said that King Kaumuali'i's favorite place to live was in Wailua. There are Hawaiian heiaus starting from the mouth of the river all the way to the summit of Mt.Waialeale. The huaka'i po (Ghost Warriors) are said to walk ancient trails along the river at night up to Mount Waiʻaleʻale. Wailua has many legends about it and was once home to many Hawaiians.
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Wikipedia