Kihahouna Heiau
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NileGuide Expert tip:
Check out the heiau while exploring the rest of the heritage trail.Description:
Just yards away from the Kiahuna Plantation is the location of a walled heiau (temple) that once stood here, measuring around 130 feet by 90 feet. The heiau was dedicated to Kane, one of the leading Hawaiian gods, along with Hulukoki, a bird god and Ku-hai-moana and Ka-moho-alii, two shark gods. Three hala-lihilihi-ula (pandanus) trees situated on the outside of the naupaka hedge mark the heiau perimeter. Naupaka is a bush with flowers that grow only half of the petals.The Heiau was built under teh rule of the second chief of the Koloa community, and the name Kiahuna, which is the name of the current resort is the modern version of the name Kihahouna. Literally translated the word "Kiahuna" means the key to a hidden secret. The Hawaiian Temple has recently become a part of the Koloa Heritage Trail, a route that leads through the Koloa-Poipu Beach area highlighting culture, history and the area's people.
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