Kaua'i - Hawaii - page 877

marked by a plaque reading 'Pohaku Hoʻohanau' ('royal birthstone'), queens gave
birth to future kings. Only a male child born here could become king of Kauaʻi.
Perched high on a hill overlooking the meandering Wailua River, the well-pre-
served Poliʻahu Heiau MAP , anotherluakini,is named after the snow goddess
Poliʻahu, one of the sisters of the volcano goddess Pele. Poliʻahu Heiau is immedi-
ately before the ʻOpaekaʻa Falls lookout , on the opposite side of the road.
Bear in mind, unmarked Hawaiian heiau might not catch your eye. Although they
were originally imposing stone structures, most now lie in ruins, covered with
scrub. It takes a leap of imagination for non-Hawaiians to appreciate heiau, but
they are still considered powerful vortices of greatmana(spiritual energy).
Find an excellent brochure on the Wailua complex of heiau at
www.hawaiistateparks.org/pdf/brochures/Hikinaakala.pdf . For a compelling his-
tory on the Wailua River's meaning to ancient Hawaiians, see Edward Joesting's
Kauai: The Separate Kingdom.
Sights
See the Kauaʻi Heritage Trail ( www.wailuaheritagetrail.org ) website and map for a more de-
tailed overview of Wailua's major sights.
Lydgate Beach Park BEACH
( www.kamalani.org ; ) A narrow stretch of windswept blonde sand strewn with driftwood,
with safe swimming, beginner snorkelling and two massive kids' playgrounds, this popu-
lar beach park can entertain restless kids of all ages, all afternoon. The multifeatured
Kamalani Playground MAP (at the north end), is a massive 16,000-sq-ft wooden castle
with swings, slides, mirror mazes, an epic suspension bridge and other kid-pleasing con-
traptions.
Or you can opt for the simpler, two-level Kamalani Kai Bridge MAP (at the south
end). Other amenities include game-sized soccer fields, a 2.5-mile bicycle-pedestrian
path, pavilions, picnic tables, restrooms, showers, drinking water and ample parking.
To get here, turn makai (seaward) on Kuhio Hwy between mile markers 5 and 6.
Steelgrass Farm FARM
( 821-1857; www.steelgrass.org ; adult/child under 12 $60/free; 9am-noon Mon, Wed & Fri;
) Learn more about diversified agriculture, cacao growing and the owners' intriguing
family history at this working farm, which offers a unique chocolate-farm tour. Steel-
grass Farm's two other crops are bamboo and vanilla, but these 8 acres feature literally