Kapua Noni Heiau/Canoe Landing/Ku'ula Stones
Located on a small point of land between just makai of the Keauhou Beach Hotel's pool, is the Kapua Noni Heiau, built by the Ali'i Kalanio'pu'u. This walled enclosure was dedicated to ensuring the abundance of fish. Just north of the Heiau is a canoe landing and the sacred bathing pool, Poho'okapo. Between the canoe landing and the Po'o Hawai'i Pond (King's Pond) are two ku'ula stones. Any stone god, carved or natural, large or small, used to attract fish is referred to as pohaku ku'ula. These two ku'ula are named Kanaio and Ulupalakua and were brought by voyaging canoe from Maui in 1751. Look at the larger stone, the one nearer the plaque, to sea the images of a turtle, a fishhook and shark represented on it, using a combination of the natural lines of the stone and engraving. The round hole near the top indicates that this was also a "luakini" stone, or stone for human sacrifice. A loop of rope was passed through the hole, around the victim's neck, and tightened until strangulation was complete. It is not known if human sacrifice at this stone was used as punishment, to propitiate the gods for good fishing, to dispatch enemy combatants for ritual cannibalism, or some combination of these.
To reach the Ku'ula Stones, Heiau and Canoe Landing, park either in the Kahalu'u Beach Park or at Keauhou Ohana Beach Resort. From Kahalu'u walk onto the Keauhou Ohana Beach Resort property through the gateway in the fence between them, and onto the paved path toward the pool deck. From the Resort parking lot, walk up the drive and cross through the lobby to the pool deck. Kapua Noni Heiau is the raised stone platform directly seaward of the pool deck, and is marked by carved wooden. The canoe landing is along the rock-free shoreline directly seaward and to the north of the Heiau. The ku'ula stones are prominent standing stones along the paved path in the garden between the hotel and the Kalanikai Bar and Grill. The Ku'ula Stones and Kapua Noni Heiau are marked by historical information plaques. Remember that these are holy religious sites to modern native Hawai'ians; to not trespass, walk or climb on the temple proper; take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints.
Produced by Donald B. MacGowan.
For more information on exploring Hawaii and unlocking its hidden secrets, visit www.tourguidehawaii.com and www.lovingthebigisland.wordpress.com.
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