Historical Society offfers guided tour of heiau sites by PAT JENKINS TGI Editor WAILUA—History buffs in search of of Kauai’s past can find several pieces of it tomorrow on a guided tour of heiau sites. The Kaua’i Historical Society-sponsored tour
Historical Society offfers guided tour of heiau sites
by PAT
JENKINS
TGI Editor
WAILUA—History buffs in search of of Kauai’s past
can find several pieces of it tomorrow on a guided tour of heiau sites.
The
Kaua’i Historical Society-sponsored tour will visit four of the sites in Wailua
that were sacred places for worship and births of royalty. In some locations,
birthing stones still exist.
Heiaus also served as a “city of refuge” where
lawbreakers were sent to serve a penance, said Mary Requilman, managing
director of the Historical Society.
The largest site on the tour is the
Malae heiau, at several acres. It’s still being researched as volunteers from a
non-profit group finish clearing brush (“It’s a massive undertaking,” Requilman
said), so tour participants probably will only be able to view it from the
road. But members of the Royal Order of Kamehameha and Na Kahu Hikina A Ka La
will offer detailed information.
E. Kalani Flores will lead the bus
excursion through the Wailua complex. The group will leave the Holiday Inn
Sunspree Resort at 9 a.m. Requilman said reservations would be accepted as late
as today until the 57-person maximum is reached. By Wednesday, 42 people had
signed up.
Tour proceeds will help support the Historical Society and its
programs. Anyone interested in joining the organization can contact it at
245-3373.
Editor Pat Jenkins can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 227) and
pjenkins@pulitzer.net
