NEW WALKING TOUR AT KAUAI’S LYDGATE PARK

In a collaborative effort between Kauai County and Kauai Nui Kuapapa, five detailed interpretive signs were recently unveiled at Kauai’s popular Lydgate Park to add to the existing signs surrounding the Hikinaakala heiau (rising sun temple).

These signs provide an educational walking tour interpreting the rich Hawaiian history and culture connected with Kauai’s Royal Coconut Coast. All signs are in both English and Hawaiian. Kauai Nui Kuapapa, is a project supporting  interpretation of Kauai’s cultural history, place-names and practices.

Nalani Brun, Tourism Specialist for Kauai County has worked with leaders of Kauai Nui Kuapapa to bring this project to fruition. She comments, “We encourage everyone to use this knowledge as a jumping off point to create their own action, whether it be to spend time with their Kupuna (elders, knowledgeable ones) and “talk-story,” dig deeper in study, volunteer at heiau maintenance projects or any number of things.”

The first sign talks about the region, Puna Moku, (the Hawaiian land district of Puna) providing a sense of “where you are.” The second sign focuses on the Wailua Ahupuaa. The third sign provides historical place names of Wailua and looks at the small adjacent Ahupuaa of Olohena. The fourth sign provides a variety of wind names associated with Wailua, considered a useful tool for farmers and builders. The fifth sign concentrates on several significant heiau (temple, worshiping place) known as Kukui, Hikinaakala, Holoholoku, Malae, Poliahu; and the kapu (cultural taboos) associated with each.

The County is taking comment from local residents and visitors to apply recommended changes and will incorporate those into the signs over the next few months.

For more information, go to http://kauainuipapa.com