Spotlight Extras » Island Myths & Legends

Poli‘ahu Heiau remains are maintained in a county park at the top of the rise. This scenic spot was the site of the king's home and his personal temple. Facing the ocean, the gorge of the Wailua is seen on the right and the ‘Opaeka‘a waterfall on the left. The Wailua River (photo left) is navigable by small boats for four miles inland, where the larger Wailua waterfall blocks the stream.

The Hawaiian people who lived in Wailua Valley furnished chants and meles which are today treasured as among the greatest of Hawaii’s unwritten literature.

They tell of the ancient king, Moikeha, who threw his spear through the Anahola Mountains in the battle with a giant from Hanalei and of Moikeha’s daughter, Kaili-lauo-ke-kea, “The beautiful one with skin as soft as the koa leaf,” who was lured into the mountains by a chief from Tahiti.

The people of Wailua were the first to follow the god-like chief La‘a who brought the hula from Tahiti. They were first to hear the sacred shark drum from Tahiti; it was treasured for centuries in their heiau.

A Wailua lad attached the first sail to his canoe and bested all opponents in canoe races.

The surf that breaks on the shores at Wailua was sacred to the kings and their Ali‘i retainers. That surf brought in canoes laden with adventurous warriors of other kingdoms who, like medieval knights, lined up on the beaches and challenged the warriors of Kauai to individual combat.

Since the Wailua is fed by pure water from Wai‘ale‘ale, worshippers of Kane, god of life, sought “The Living Water of Kane” and created the chant of the title which is the classic gem of Hawaiian literature.