Written by Bette Layton . . .

When polo arrived on Kauai, about 1887, it was taken up with such enthusiasm that the island became known for its expert polo players and fast ponies.

Kauai participated in the first Inter-Island Championship games on Oahu in 1902, and in 1904 brought home the Wichman Trophy.

In the early part of the 19th century, polo was played at the Huleia Field and was dominated by the Rice Brothers and the famous Hawaiian polo player, John Malina.  Colonel Spalding built the racetrack at Waipouli about 1880, and his polo-playing son, James Spalding, built the polo field inside the racetrack about 1915.

Polo was a vital part of the Kauai sport's scene until the clouds of World War II began to loom on the horizon.  Slowly the sport went off the radar screen.  In 1951 Holbrook Goodale revived the game for several years at beautiful Kipu Ranch.

It wasn't until 1979 that polo surfaced again when Canadian, Ken Anderson, finally interested Mike Sheehan in starting a polo club.  At first matches were held on the lawn of the Wilcox Mansion on the beach at Hanalei.  However, play was hazardous as there were a number of trees, plus the fact ranch ponies weren't always happy with mallets flying around their legs, some bucked and kicked now and then.  To make matters worse, Mr. Wilcox used the lawn to practice his golf game, and after one scrimmage when he came to do some putting, the lawn wasn't in very good shape.  Polo had to move.

Sheehan took the operation to another Wilcox Mansion, Kilohana, in Puhi.  Here the club began to grow and with the addition of more players became organized.  Before too long, it was evident that the club had outgrown Kilohana.  After a comprehensive search, beautiful Anini Beach was selected for a new home.  It took a year or so to build the field, but it was well worth the wait.  Matches began at Anini in 1983.

Over the years some of the finest and most interesting players in the world have played at Anini, including Memo Gracida and Sylvester Stallone.  Many individuals have made enormous contributions to the development of the best polo club in the islands.

Kauai Polo Club
PO Box 978
Hanalei, HI  96714
Website: kauaipoloclub.org
To contact us: Phone: (808) 827-8284
Call 346-2232 on Game Day for Weather Update