Site Overview
Pōhaku Hoʻohanau Heiau
The Pōhaku Hoʻohanau Heiau, situated within the ʻIli of Kihapiʻiilani in Wailua, is a sacred birthing site and cultural landmark. Currently under active stewardship, the site serves as a vital link to ancestral traditions, protecting traditional customary rights and honoring the spiritual essence of the Wailua landscape.
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Restoration and preservation of traditional Hawaiian customary rights and usage within the ʻIli of Kihapiʻilani, including:
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Pali o Pu'uiki - Pōhaku Hoʻohanau Heiau
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Mokila’s Moʻo Cave
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Burial Sites
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ʻIliahi (sandalwood) grove
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Loko o Kaluapulu
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Auwai o Kawaiʻiki
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Loʻi o Kahoʻoleialiʻi
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Pali o Papaʻālai burials
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Removal of invasive Guinea grass, Christmasberry, Java plum, Albizia, and African tulip trees
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Preservation and care of native and culturally significant plants including milo, kou, hau, coconut, kamani, noni, and kukui trees
Project Size: 8 acres
An Ancestral Birthplace: The Moʻolelo of Kihapiʻilani
Pōhaku Hoʻohanau Heiau, situated within the ʻili of Kihapiʻilani, serves as a profound monument to the aliʻi lineages of Kauaʻi. Traditionally recognized as a birthing site for high-ranking chiefs, the heiau is intrinsically linked to the surrounding wetlands and the life-giving waters that descend from the uplands of Wailua.
For centuries, this wahi pana (sacred place) has stood as a bastion of cultural identity. It is home to a significant moʻo cave and ancestral burial sites, representing a direct portal to the spiritual realm and the mana of those who came before. The alignment of the stones and the relationship to the mountain-to-sea corridors reflect a sophisticated understanding of celestial and terrestrial harmony.
Today, the protection of this site is not merely an act of preservation but a fundamental exercise of traditional Hawaiian customary rights. It is a living classroom where the echoes of ancestral chants meet the efforts of modern stewardship, ensuring that the story of Kihapiʻilani remains unbroken.
Restoration Initiatives
Heiau Structural Preservation
Ongoing maintenance and stabilization of preserving the Pohaku Ho'o Hanau, following traditional practices.
Eco-Restoration
Removal of invasive Guinea grass, Christmasberry, Java plum, Albizia, and African tulip trees, while propagting native speices
Mo'olelo Revitalization
Mapping ancestral pathways and documenting the oral histories associated with the Ili of Kihapi'ilani for future generations.
Sacred Landscape & Restoration
Ways to Engage
Deepen your connection to Pōhaku Hoʻohanau Heiau. Join our community of stewards in protecting and restoring this sacred site for the generations to come.