The Naha Stone

Hilo, Big Island, Hawaii

The Legend of the Naha Stone is the Hawaiian equivalent of the Arthurian Sword in the Stone. Centuries ago, the imposing slab was transported by canoe from Wailua valley on Kauai to Hilo on the Big Island, and a place of honor for royalty.

Young chiefs-to-be were brought to the great stone to perform a ritual test. The legend around it said that whoever lifted up this three and-a-half ton boulder possessed true Naha leader blood, and would unite all of the islands.

Enter teenage boy Kamehameha, who lifted and then flipped over the Naha Stone, apparently without much fuss. He went on to become King of the Hawaiian Islands. The Naha Stone went on to become a landmark in front of the Hilo Public Library.

A boulder with even fuzzier origins and less weight, the Pinao Stone, is next to the Naha Stone. A sign briefly describes both, and advises visitors not to sit or stand on the stones. Vandals have defaced the Naha Stone on at least one occasion, but none have possessed enough Naha blood to do any permanent damage.