Pohaku Hoohanau Royal Birthing Stones - Activities On Kauai Kapaa, Hawaii

Pohaku Ho'ohanau, or the Royal Birthing Stones as they're more often called, is a very special and sacred place in Hawaiian history and culture. This area was once a special place where royalty would give birth to help ensure the chiefly status of the newborn.

When a child was born, the umbilical cord would be placed in Pohaku Piko, a ceremonial niche. One legend says that if a baby who was born here was destined to be a great ali'i (chief) that the sky would fill with lighting, thunder, and rain. A rainbow would then appear after the storm and would end of it would fall in the exact spot where the child was born.

Of course, other legends suggest that the umbilical cord was more a future telling device. Supposedly, if a rat took the cord away then the child was destined to be bad. If the umbilical cord was left then all was good.

Kaumuali'i, the last chief to be born (and Kauai's king) was born here. This place is part of the Wailua Heritage Trail and located right next to Holoholoku Heiau.

Note that this is still a very sacred site so please don't touch the rocks and always visit places like this with respect.

Pohaku Ho'ohanau / Royal Birthing Stones