This is the first of the Koloa Heritage Trail Markers. Click for the complete list in the order shown on the “Free Kōloa & Po‘ipū Map” of cultural, historical and geographical sites available locally.
On Lawai Road south of the traffic circle on Poipu Road (Hawaii Route 520), on the left when traveling west.
Spouting Horn Park was called puhi, or blowhole, by early Hawaiians. Legends tell of a huge mo‘o, or lizard, caught in this puhi, which was formed when waves eroded softer, underlying rocks and wore through the harder top rock. Water rushing into . . . — — Map (db m12764) HM
On Lawai Road south of the traffic circle on Poipu Road (Hawaii Route 520), on the right when traveling west.
Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana‘ole was born in a grass hut near this spot to Princess Kinoike Kekaulike and High Chief David Kahalepouli Pi‘ikoi. He became a delagate to U.S. Congress after Hawai‘i became a Territory in 1900, serving for . . . — — Map (db m12778) HM
On Hoonani Road east of Lawai Road, on the right when traveling east.
In the mid 1800s, Kōloa Landing was the third largest whaling port in all of Hawai‘i and the only port of entry for foreign goods. The sugar industry increased its use until 1912, when better facilities became available. Up to 60 ships a year . . . — — Map (db m12787) HM
Near Hoonani Road east of Kapilli Road, on the left when traveling east.
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 . . . — — Map (db m12797) HM
Near Poipu Road east of the Poipu Road traffic circle, on the right when traveling east.
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 . . . — — Map (db m12803) HM
On Hoone Road at Ho‘owilli Road, on the left when traveling east on Hoone Road.
Abundant, easy-to-view marine life in calm waters is a major attraction at Po‘ipū Beach. The endangered native Hawaiian Monk seal and threatened Green sea turtle are frequent visitors. From November through May, the endangered Humpback whale . . . — — Map (db m12805) HM
Near Pe‘e Road south of Poipu Road, on the left when traveling south.
Stone and coral tools found a Keoneloa Bay , or long sand, helped arcaeologists determine that early Hawaiians used the area between 200 and 600 A.D. as a temporary fishing camp. Later Hawaiians left remnants of heiau, or temples, and ahu, or . . . — — Map (db m12806) HM
Near Ainako Street south of Poipu Road, on the right when traveling south.
The eastern sand dunes of Makawehi, calm face, and Pā‘ā, hard rock, yield fossilized plant roots, bird bones, crab claws and other treasures. Prior to extensive wave erosion, this prominent limestone ridge extended across Keoneloa Bay. . . . — — Map (db m12859) HM
On Ala Kinolike Highway north of Poipu Road, on the right when traveling north.
More than 5 million years ago, a hotspot in the earth spewed lava upward to form the volcanic mountain island of Kaua‘i. Nearby Hā‘upu Ridge and Mountain contain some of the oldest geologic formations. Look for the youngest volcanic cones, such . . . — — Map (db m12864) HM
On Poipu Road east of the Poipu Road traffic circle, on the left when traveling east.
Lava rock walls near Hapa Road signify Hawaiian habitation ca. 1200 A.D., while the road dates to the late 1880s. Nearby tracks once held trains hauling cane to Kōloa Plantation for milling. Hapa Road served as a supply and emergency evacuation . . . — — Map (db m12866) HM
On Waikomo Road south of Koloa Road, on the right when traveling south.
Buddhist temples provided Japanese immigrants a place to worship, study their language, learn martial arts and participate in social events. This Jodo Mission used a specialist in temple architecture from Japan to build the large temple’s interior. . . . — — Map (db m13007) HM
On Maluhia Road (Hawaii Route 520) at Koloa Road ( Route 530), on the right when traveling south on Maluhia Road.
The Beginning. Near this site, on September 12, 1835, William Hooper began clearing 12 acres of land to plant sugar cane. The land was part of 980 acres leased by Hooper’s employer, Ladd & Co. of Honolulu. The land was leased from King . . . — — Map (db m18760) HM
On Koloa Road (Hawaii Route 530) west of Maluhia Road ( Route 520), on the right when traveling south.
Built at the turn of the 20th century, The Yamamoto Building functioned at various times as a plantation camp store and general store with service station. Behind it, the Kōloa Hotel offered rooms to traveling salesmen and actors. The o-furo, . . . — — Map (db m13010) HM
On Poipu Road (Hawaii Route 520) south of Koloa Road ( Route 530), on the left when traveling south.
Kōloa Missionary Church sanctuary is part of a homestead once owned by Dr. James W. Smith, a medical missionary. In 1842, he began a practice of over 40 years, later becoming an ordained minister at The Church at Kōloa. His grandson, Dr. . . . — — Map (db m13023) HM
