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

Kihāhouna Heiau

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

— Preserving the Heritage of Po‘ipū & Kōloa —

Kihāhouna Heiau Marker image. Click for full size.

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

1. Kihāhouna Heiau Marker

Inscription. The walled heiau (temple) that once stood here was 130 feet by 90 feet; dedicated to Kāne, a major god of Hawai‘i, Hulokoki, a bird god, Kū-hai-moana and Ka-moho-ali‘i, two shark gods. Three hala-lihilihi-‘ula trees situated on the outside of the naupaka hedge mark the heiau perimeter.

Erected by Po‘ipū Beach Foundation. (Marker Number 5.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures.

Location. 21° 52.433′ N, 159° 27.417′ W. Marker is in Poipu, Hawaii, in Kauai County. It can be reached from Poipu Road east of the Poipu Road traffic circle, on the right when traveling east. Marker is on the beach walk at the Marriott Waiohai Beach Resort, at the public beach access walk that runs on the western side of the property. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2249 Poipu Road, Koloa HI 96756, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in North America,

Polynesia,

the Pacific Ocean,

North Pacific,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Po‘ipū Beach Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pā‘ū a Laka (Moir Gardens) (approx. ¼ mile away); Ka Moolelo O Kauai or The Heritage of Kaua'i (approx. 0.3 miles away); Kilo Lani or Charting the Stars (approx. 0.3 miles away);

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Ka Moolelo O Kaneiolouma or The Story of Kanei'olouma (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hapa Road (approx. 0.3 miles away); Pu‘uwanawana Volcanic Cone (approx. ¾ mile away); Hanaka‘ape Bay & Kōloa Landing (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Poipu.

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.

Also see . . . The Story of Kolōa: A Kaua‘i Plantation Town. 2001 book by Donald Donohugh. “This heiau is the origin of the name Kiahuna ... with the spelling simplified for visitors. It was built under the direction of the district chief Kina in the sixteenth century and dedicated to the gods of the sea. The heiau originally had walls four to six feet high in a rectangle 100 feet by 130 feet, with oracle towers, an altar, and several wooden images on its platform.” (Submitted on October 22, 2008.) This website may earn income if you use this link to make a purchase on Amazon.com.

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

2. Kihāhouna Heiau Marker

Marker is next to the gate into the heiau site marked “Kapu” which means “Do Not Enter”

Kihāhouna Heiau Site image. Click for full size.

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

3. Kihāhouna Heiau Site

Stone Monument at the Far Edge of the Kihāhouna Heiau Perimeter image. Click for full size.

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

4. Stone Monument at the Far Edge of the Kihāhouna Heiau Perimeter

Surfers Just Beyond the Kihāhouna Heiau Perimeter image. Click for full size.

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

5. Surfers Just Beyond the Kihāhouna Heiau Perimeter

Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 22, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,621 times since then and 80 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 22, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.