wailuanuiahoʻAno AND WHAT MANY KNOW AS THE FORMER COCO PALMS RESORT IS A UNIQUELY SPECIAL AND SACRED AREA THAT REPRESENTS AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT PART OF KAUAʻI’S HISTORY. 

 

I OLA WAILUANUI IS A NONPROFIT COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATION FORMED AND MANAGED BY KAUAʻI RESIDENTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PRESERVING, PROTECTING AND RESTORING WAILUANUIAHOʻANO AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL, HISTORICAL, AND CULTURAL TREASURES LOCATED THEREIN

  • Loko iʻa

    Wailuanui has two ancient loko iʻa (fishponds) Loko Puʻuone (or Loko Hakuone) – inland fishponds, Weuweu & Kaiwiiki/ Kawaiiki.

    They are estimated to be at least 600 - 800+ years old. 

    Kauaʻi’s first coconut grove planted in 1896 from introduced Samoan coconuts. Bronze plaques mark more recent tree dedication planting ceremonies.

    Wailua Coconut Grove Drainage Ditch flows from south west corner of the loko iʻa. The ʻAuwai leading to Wailua River was first documented in early surveys in 1899.

  • Burial Grounds

    Mahunapuʻuone burial grounds - Mahele records show seaward portion of the former Coco Palms Resort encompasses these burial grounds.

    In 1973 during Coco Palms Resort construction of north wing thirty four (34) sets of human remains were unearthed on the property during these works.  The remains were re-interred and marked with a plaque placed atop a boulder. One found near the corner of the kitchen area was left in place. 

    Unique burials and burial patterns were uncovered on the property including significantly large remains of people thought to be in excess of 7ft tall.

    Native Hawaiian burial patterns, practices and previous inadvertent discoveries and disinterment suggests additional remains & artifacts are very likely.

    Many legends about Kauaʻi originate in or refer to Wailua. Legend has it La'a is said to have brought the first two shark skin pahu drums on Kauaʻi to Wailua upon his arrival.

 

Wailua is the home of multiple sacred religious sites.

There are Hawaiian heiau starting from the mouth of the river all the way to the summit of Waialeale. Sites include:

Hikinaakalā Heiau, Hauola Puʻuhonua, Holoholokū Heiau, Malae Heiau, Poliʻahu Heiau AND Lae Ala Kukui Heiau

  • Royal Land

    Royal compounds, stately temple sites, a royal birthing site and other religious locales which were often off-limits for commoners in old Hawaiʻi.

    The eminent residences for the aliʻi (royalty) pre western contact period.

    During the Māhele of 1848 the entire ahupuaʻa (excluding kuleana lands) was designated as Crown Lands – affirming the importance of this area.

    It was the primary domain and seat of government for Puna reigning chiefs.

    Around the 15th century (political/social affairs for the entire island were consolidated under one ruler) Wailua & Waimea served as alternating royal residences for the aliʻi and their courts.

  • Queen Kapule

    Queen Deborah Kapule (last Queen of Kauaʻi) lived on the property in Wailuanui in a thatched house enclosed by a stake fence.

    In 1825, behind her home lay taro patches, walled fish ponds & pastures. Koloa Ducks were plentiful. A number of fishponds were maintained on the property.

    About 1835, Wailua Church mission station was developed on the property along with a schoolhouse. This church was eventually moved to Kapaʻa town where it still sits today along the main stretch of Kapaʻa.

    The original home of Queen Deborah Kapule was removed about 1870 and lands were converted to Crown Land.