A brief article I submitted today for a project creating an audio-CD driving tour of the island. Visit www.kauaidrivetours.com for more information.
The Kalalea Mountain Range
Let your gaze wander to the mauka or mountain side of the road and you cannot miss the Kalalea mountain range. Aptly named in Hawaiian for their prominence, the mountains tower over the road as they march toward the ocean. The small town of Anahola nestles in the ahupua’a, the traditional land division between the mountains and the sea. Designated primarily for Hawaiian Homesteads, Anahola is home to the largest concentration of Native Hawaiians on Kaua’i.
The protruding peak closest to the ocean is Hoku’alele, meaning “shooting star.” The Hawaiians constructed a three-terraced high place of worship here called a heiau. Looking at the second peak inland, what do you see? The Hawaiians saw the dorsal fin of a shark as it parted through the land heading toward the ocean, and named the peak Mano or Shark Mountain. More recent visitors see the profile of the giant gorilla King Kong. The peak is quite famous, appearing in the 1976 King Kong film and the opening credits of Raiders of the Lost Ark, when the Paramount Pictures mountain (Mt. Shasta) fades into the Kalalea peak (at the 1:35 mark in clip below).
The protruding peak closest to the ocean is Hoku’alele, meaning “shooting star.” The Hawaiians constructed a three-terraced high place of worship here called a heiau. Looking at the second peak inland, what do you see? The Hawaiians saw the dorsal fin of a shark as it parted through the land heading toward the ocean, and named the peak Mano or Shark Mountain. More recent visitors see the profile of the giant gorilla King Kong. The peak is quite famous, appearing in the 1976 King Kong film and the opening credits of Raiders of the Lost Ark, when the Paramount Pictures mountain (Mt. Shasta) fades into the Kalalea peak (at the 1:35 mark in clip below).
Look closely behind the peak in the saddle of the ridgeline and you may glimpse Puuanakoua, or “Hole-in-the-Mountain.” This ancient lava tube has been exposed, covered and re-exposed by various landslides. Several Hawaiian legends tell of huge heroes hurling spears through the mountain, piercing its side.
Now let your eyes take in the whole range and really let your imagination run wild. What other shapes and figures do you see? You may see a bust of George Washington, a tortoise, a hippo, and when looking at the entire range, maybe even a goddess sleeping on her back! Can you see them all? You may want to find a safe spot to pull over and enjoy the powerful energy or mana of these prominent peaks.
King Kong’s profile can best be seen between mile markers 14 and 15, and a glimpse of Hole-in-the-Mountain between mile markers 15 and 16.
Now let your eyes take in the whole range and really let your imagination run wild. What other shapes and figures do you see? You may see a bust of George Washington, a tortoise, a hippo, and when looking at the entire range, maybe even a goddess sleeping on her back! Can you see them all? You may want to find a safe spot to pull over and enjoy the powerful energy or mana of these prominent peaks.
King Kong’s profile can best be seen between mile markers 14 and 15, and a glimpse of Hole-in-the-Mountain between mile markers 15 and 16.
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