Have you ever visited Kaua’i? Chances are, if you did you saw terrific beaches, not to mention great hotels, world-class golfing, sweet local restaurants, and (if you got really lucky), the elusive “green flash” which supposedly appears on the famous north shore of the island just as the sun dips below the horizon.
Of course if you go to Kaua’i for spiritual travel, there’s a lot more to see and do than have a Mai Tai and take a Jeep tour or go to a traditional Hawai’ian luau, though these activities are also not to be missed! Here are some suggestions for diving down deeper on a spiritual tour of this most wonderful Hawaiian island:
Blue Room Cave
On the beautiful coastal road of Kauai’s north shore is a gorgeous mystical wet cave called “The Blue Room.” It is one of the island’s many unusual geological formations. A peaceful feeling instantly settles upon you when you enter this cave. It’s indescribable; like you are entering an entire new world. The acoustics are amazing, too; consider creating your own ceremony, including chanting and instruments, and connect with the island energies and set positive intentions or goals.
House of Hula
Close to the Blue Room is the Ke’ahu A Laka Halau hula heiau (House of Hula). A heiau is a sacred site built by the ancient Hawai’ians as a healing temple, and this locale features two such ancient temples. With a sweeping view of the blue ocean below on one side, the rest of this site is surrounded by lush rainforest and a tall cliff, making it one of the most spectacular and beautiful heiaus on the Hawai’ian Islands.
Hula dancers were trained here in the stringent art of this ancient Hawaiian dance. The purpose of hula was to increase fertility in nature.
King Kalakaua called hula the language of the heart and the heartbeat of the Hawaiian people. Today, the House of Hula allows you to connect with your heart and the spirit of Hawai’i.
Kaua’i Hindu Monastery
Kaua’i Aadheenam, also known as the Kaua’i Hindu Monastery, is a traditional Tamil Saivite South-Indian style monastery and temple complex, home to around two dozen monks. The lush temple grounds also house several granite murtis, or representations of the divine, and this area is regarded as a place where heaven meets the earth. The core of the monastery is the renowned Kadavul Temple, where the monks practice fire pujas, powerful religious rituals. Visitors are welcome here at the monastery from 9am to 12pm daily, but are asked not to visit until 10:30am unless you want to participate in the morning puja at 9am. There are appropriate ways to dress and sit, and photography is strictly prohibited, so it’s a good idea to check out the web site before you go. Meditation under the Banyan Tree can be a powerful experience!
Polihale
Kaua’i’s westernmost point is Polihale, which means “House Bosom” — the source of life. The more popular and colorful meaning of the name (believed to be an erroneous translation) is “House of the Po.” Po is the Hawaiian word for afterworld. A legend says that spirits (‘hane) travel across the adjacent plain, climb the cliffs (Ha’ele’ele) and jump off to Po. Thus, these cliffs are the jumping-off place to the next life. According to the Dalai Lama, this is one of the portals where souls leave this world when they transition, making it a very sacred site. When you visit, it’s a great opportunity to feel and honor the ancestors of Hawai’i.
Spirit Quest Tours is going to Kaua’i in October, for the Heart & Soul Adventure to Kaua’i.
