Poipu in Kauai County, Hawaii — Hawaiian Island Archipelago (Pacific Ocean)

Pā‘ū a Laka (Moir Gardens)

Kōloa Heritage Trail — Ka Ala Hele Waiwai Ho‘olina o Kōloa

— Preserving the Heritage of Po‘ipū & Kōloa —

Pā‘ū a Laka (Moir Gardens) Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 19, 2008

1. Pā‘ū a Laka (Moir Gardens) Marker

Inscription. What began as a hobby garden by the Kōloa Plantation manager’s wife became celebrated as one of the world’s best of its kind. Numerous cactus planted in the 1930s thrived in the arid, rocky soil here. Many escaped to surrounding areas to become naturalized over time.

Erected by Po‘ipū Beach Foundation. (Marker Number 4.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Horticulture & Forestry.

Location. 21° 52.6′ N, 159° 27.6′ W. Marker is in Poipu, Hawaii, in Kauai County. Marker can be reached from Hoonani Road east of Kapilli Road, on the left when traveling east. Marker is at the north end of the last Hoonani Road parking lot on the left for the Kiahuna Plantation Restaurant. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2253 Poipu Road, Koloa HI 96756, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Hapa Road (approx. 0.2 miles away); Kihāhouna Heiau (approx. ¼ mile away); Po‘ipū Beach Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); Hanaka‘ape Bay & Kōloa Landing (approx. 0.6 miles away); Pu‘uwanawana Volcanic Cone (approx. 0.8 miles away); Prince Kūhiō Birthplace & Park

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(approx. one mile away); Keoneloa Bay (approx. 1.2 miles away); Sacred Fishing Grounds (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Poipu.

More about this marker. The marker—and the gardens—are on the grounds of the Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation Resort. They are open to the public every day without charge. The cactus gardens are to the left of the marker, the orchid gardens are to the right.

Regarding Pā‘ū a Laka (Moir Gardens). Pā‘ū a Laka means “skirt of the goddess Laka” in Hawaiian. Hector Moir, the last manager of the Koloa Plantation sugar company and his wife Alexandra lived in the lava rock house, now the restaurant, surrounded by the gardens she planted beginning in the 1930s.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. It is the first of the Kōloa Heritage Trail markers, and has a link to a list of all Kōloa Heritage Trail markers.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 19, 2008

2. Pā‘ū a Laka (Moir Gardens) Marker

Pā‘ū a Laka (Moir Gardens) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 19, 2008

3. Pā‘ū a Laka (Moir Gardens)

A Few of the Orchards in the Orchard Garden image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 19, 2008

4. A Few of the Orchards in the Orchard Garden

Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 21, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,764 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 21, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.