Many centuries ago...
Kīkīaola is a historic irrigation ditch (ʻauwai) located near Waimea on the island of Kauai in the U.S. state of Hawaii. Also known as "Menehune Ditch" or "Peekauai Ditch," it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 16, 1984.[1] It is purported to have been built by the Menehune.[2]
In Hawaiian mythology, the Menehune [pronounced meh-neh-HOO-neh] are said to be a people, sometimes described as dwarfs in size, who live in the deep forests and hidden valleys of the Hawaiian Islands, far from the eyes of normal humans. Their favorite food is the maiʻa (banana), but they also like fish.
The Menehune were said to be superb craftspeople. Legends say that the Menehune built temples (heiau), fishponds, roads, canoes, and houses. They are said to have lived in Hawaiʻi before settlers arrived from Polynesia many centuries ago.
Hawaiians built many stone-lined ʻauwai to irrigate ponds for growing taro (kalo), but very rarely employed dressed stone to line ditches. The 120 finely cut basalt blocks that line about 200 feet of the outer wall of the Menehune Ditch make it not just exceptional, but "the acme of stone-faced ditches" in the words of archaeologist Wendell C. Bennett.[3]
Today it is the harbor for +Na Pali Explorer snorkel tours and other local fisherman.
Claire and Mary, owner and operators of the +Na Pali Explorer, are both born and raised on the Na Pali Coast.
"Sharing these magical places and moments is the best occupation one could wish for"
- Mary and Claire
#Snorkel #Scuba #fishing #Kauai 808-338-9999
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