Houola

Houola, meaning “dew of life,” is the ancient name for this place at the mouth of the Wailua River. Historical accounts suggest that a pu'uhonua, or place of refuge, stood here, where people could escape punishment and find safety during war. Its religious center is Hikinaakalā. In the 1700s, massive walls six feet high and eleven feet wide enclosed the sacred area, and a row of wooden images known as ka pae ki'io Wailua stood near the river mouth watching over Hikinaakalā. In 1819, the traditional Hawaiian religion was abolished. Around 1850, a house was built and a garden of sweet potatoes and coconut trees was planted within the walls. In the 1900s, rocks were removed and used in roadbeds, leaving only the foundations of the once massive walls. Hikinaakalā and the other heiau of Wailus were designated a National Historic Landmark in 1962.

Wailua, Hawaii · United States