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Hookuaaina Rebuilding Lives From The Ground Up

ʻŌlelo Noeau: Hoʻonahoa (courage)

ʻAu ana ka lae o Maunauna i ka ʻino. #234
Maunauna point swims in the storm.
[Said of a courageous person who withstands the storms of life.]

He ʻaʻaliʻi kū makani mai au; ʻaʻohe makani nāna e kulaʻi. #507
I am a wind-resisting ʻaʻaliʻi plant; no gust can push me over.

He ʻaloʻalo kuāua no kuahiwi. #541
One who endured the mountain showers.
[A brave person.]

He hoʻokele waʻa no ka lā ʻino. #592
A canoe steersman for a stormy day.
[A courageous person.]

He lālā kamahele no ka lāʻau kū i ka pali. #717
A far-reaching branch of the tree standing on the cliff.
[A boast of a strong person who, like the tree on the cliff, can withstand gales and pouring rain.]

Source: Pukui, M. K. (1983). ‘Ōlelo No‘eau Hawaiian Proverbs & Poetical Sayings. Honolulu, Hawaii: Bishop Museum Press.

ʻŌlelo Noeau compiled by Johanna Kapōmaikaʻi Stone and Danielle Espiritu

ʻŌlelo Noeau: Aloha (love & peace)

E ʻōpū aliʻi. #369
Have the heart of a chief.
[Have the kindness, generosity and even temper of a chief.]

E wehe i ka umauma i ākea. #388
Open out the chest that it may be spacious.
[Be generous and kind to all.]

He aliʻi ka laʻi, he haku na ke aloha. #532
Peace is a chief, the lord of love.
[Where peace is, there love abides also.]

He aliʻi ke aloha, he kilohana e paʻa ai. #536
Love is like a chief, the highest prize to hold fast to.

He aliʻi ke aloha, he ʻohu no ke kino. #537
Love is chiefly, an adornment for the body.
[Uttered by Hiʻiaka in a chant to the sister of Lohiʻau.]

He ʻohu ke aloha, ʻaʻohe kuahiwi kau ʻole.#852
Love is a mist, there is no mountaintop that it does not settle upon.
[Love comes to all.]

He ʻolina leo kā ke aloha. #862
A joyousness is in the voice of love.
[Love speaks in a gentle and joyous voice, no in harshness or gruffness.]

He pūnāwai kahe wale ke aloha. #936
Love is a spring that flows freely.
[Love is without bounds and exists for all.]

Haʻahaʻa (humility)

#284 E hoʻi e peʻe i ke ōpū weuweu me he moho la. E ao o haʻi ka pua o ka mauʻu iā ʻoe.
Go back and hide among the clumps of grass-like the wingless rail. Be careful not to break even a blade of grass.
[Return to the country to live a humble life and leave no trace to be noticed and followed. So said the chief Kealiʻiwahamana to his daughter when he was dying. Later used as advice to a young person not to be aggressive or show off.]

#361 E noho iho i ke ōpū weuweu, mai hoʻokiʻekiʻe.
Remain among the clumps of grasses and do not elevate yourself.
[Do not put on airs, show off, or assume an attitude of superiority.]

#367 E ʻoluʻolu i ka mea i loaʻa.
Be contented with what one has.

Source: Pukui, M. K. (1983). ‘Ōlelo No‘eau Hawaiian Proverbs & Poetical Sayings. Honolulu, Hawaii: Bishop Museum Press.

ʻŌlelo Noeau compiled by Johanna Kapōmaikaʻi Stone and Danielle Espiritu

ʻŌlelo Noeau: Hoʻokipa (hospitality)

#518 He ʻai leo ʻole, he ʻīpuka hāmama.
Food unaccompanied by a voice, a door always open.
[Said about the home of a hospitable person. The food is eaten without hearing a complaint from the hosts, and the door is always open to all visitors.]

#858 He ola i ka leo kāhea.
There is life in a [hospitable] call.
[A call of friendly hospitality gives cheer to the traveler.]

#869 He ʻōpū hālau.
A house-like stomach.
[A heart as big as a house. Said of a person who is kind, gracious, and hospitable.]

Source: Pukui, M. K. (1983). ‘Ōlelo No‘eau Hawaiian Proverbs & Poetical Sayings. Honolulu, Hawaii: Bishop Museum Press.

ʻŌlelo Noeau compiled by Johanna Kapōmaikaʻi Stone and Danielle Espiritu

ʻŌlelo Noeau: Favorites of Ho‘okua‘āina

Ho‘okua‘āina Core Lessons

Nani ke kalo *
Beautiful the taro/The taro is beautiful.

Aloha Kekahi i Kekahi *
Love one another

Ua ola loko i ke aloha. #2836
Love gives life within.
[Love is imperative to one’s mental and physical welfare.]

Huli ka lima i lalo, ola *
Turn the hands down, life. 

He aliʻi ka ʻāina; he kauwā ke kanaka. #531
The land is a chief; man is its servant.
[The land has no need for man, but man needs the land and works it for a livelihood.]

Uwē ka lani, ola ka honua. #2888
When the sky weeps, the earth lives.
[When it rains the earth revives.]

He waʻa he moku, he moku he waʻa. *
A canoe is an island, an island is a canoe.

ʻAʻohe hana nui ke alu ʻia. #142
No task is too big when done together by all. 

Ma ka hana ka ʻike. #2088
In working one learns.

ʻAʻohe pau ka ʻike i ka hālau hoʻokahi. #203
All knowledge is not learned in one school.
[One can learn from many sources.]

E lawe i ke aʻo a mālama, a e ʻoi mau ka naʻauao. #328
Take what you have learned and apply it and your wisdom will increase.

ʻĀina Momona. *
Fat, fertile, rich land.

Hele nō ka ʻalā, hele nō ka lima. #752
The rock goes, the hand goes.
[To make good poi, the freehand must work in unison with the poi pounder. Keep both hands working to do good work.]

Na ke kanaka mahiʻai ka imu ō nui. #2239
The well-filled imu belongs to the man who tills the soil.

ʻOnipaʻa.  #2521
Stand firm.
[Motto of Liliʻuokalani]

Hoʻomau *
To persevere

Lōkahi *
Unity, balance, connection to a spiritual force, oneself, others, and the land

Kūlia i ka nuʻu.  #1913
Strive to reach the highest.
[Motto of Queen Kapiʻolani.]

ʻAʻohe lolena i ka wai ʻōpae.  #178
There must be no slackness when one gathers shrimp in time of a freshet.
[Let there be no slackers when there is work to be done. Lazy people don’t get anywhere.]

Maiau Kahana, Maiau Ka Loaʻa *
Neat work, neat results

Source: Pukui, M. K. (1983). ‘Ōlelo No‘eau Hawaiian Proverbs & Poetical Sayings. Honolulu, Hawaii: Bishop Museum Press.

*Indicates those not found in the puke ʻŌlelo Noʻeau

ʻŌlelo Noeau compiled by Johanna Kapōmaikaʻi Stone and Danielle Espiritu

ʻŌlelo Noeau: Hana Pono (working hard)

Aia ke ola i ka hana. #57
Life is in labor.
[Labor produces what is needed.]

Aia nō ka pono, ʻo ka hoʻohuli i ka lima i lalo, ʻaʻole ʻo ka hoʻohuli i luna. #71
That is what it should be–to turn the hands palms down, not palms up.
[No one can work with the palms of his hands turned up. When a person is always busy, he is said to keep his palms down.]

ʻAi nō i kalo moʻa. #83
One can eat cooked taro,
[The work is done; one can sit at ease and enjoy himself.]

ʻAʻohe hana nui ke alu ʻia. #142
No task is too big when done together by all.

ʻAʻohe loaʻa i ka noho wale. #173
Nothing is gained by idleness.

ʻAʻohe mea nāna e hoʻopūhili, he moho no ka lā makani. #189
There is no one to interfere, for he is a messenger for the windy day.
[Said in admiration of a person who lets nothing stop him from carrying out the task entrusted to him.]

ʻAʻohe puʻu kiʻekiʻe ke hōʻāʻō ʻia e piʻi. #209
No cliff is so tall that is cannot be scaled.
[No problem is too great when one tries hard to solve it.]

ʻAʻohe ʻulu e loaʻa i ka pōkole o ka lou. #213
No breadfruit can be reached when the picking stick is too short.
[There is no success without preparation.]

E ala! E alu! E kuilima! #258
Up! Together! Join hands!
[A call to come together to tackle a given task.]

E ala, e hoa i ka malo. #259
Get up and gird your loincloth.
[A call to rise and get to work.]

E hana mua a paʻa ke kahua ma mua o ke aʻo ʻana aku iā haʻi. #276
Build yourself a firm foundation before teaching others.

E hōʻike mai ana ka lāʻau a ke kia manu. #287
The stick of the birdcatcher will tell.
[We will know how successful one is by what he produces. One knew whether a bird catcher was successful by counting the birds on his gummed stick.]

E hoʻokanaka. #290
Be a man.

E hume i ka malo, e hoʻokala i ka ihe. #299
Gird the loin cloth, sharpen the spear.
[A call to prepare for war or to prepare for the project at hand.]

E kanu i ka huli ʻoi hāʻule ka ua. #316
Plant the taro stalks while there is rain.
[Do your work when the opportunity affords.]

E kaupē aku nō i ka hoe, a kō mai. #319
Put forward the paddle and draw it back.
[Go on with the task that is started and finish it.]

E kuahui like i ka hana. #323
Let everybody pitch in and work together.

E kuʻi ka māmā a loaʻa ʻo Kaʻōhele. #326
Let your fastest runners run in relay to catch Kaʻōhele.
[Let us make every effort to attain our goal. Kaʻōhele was a chief and warrior and in his day, there was none swifter than he. Is was only by running in relay that he was caught and killed.]

E lauhoe mai nā waʻa; i ke kā, i ka hoe; i ka hoe, i ke kā; pae aku i ka ʻāina. #327
Everybody paddle the canoes together; bail and paddle, paddle and bail, and the shore is reached.
[Pitch in with a will, everybody, and the work is quickly done.]

E mālama o pā i ke leo. #350
Be careful lest you be struck by the voice.
[Be careful not to do something that will lead to a scolding.]

E pūpūkahi. #376
Be of one clump.
[Be united in thought.]

E waikahi ka pono i mānalo. #384
It is well to be united in thought that all may have peace.

Hāʻawe i ke kua; kiʻi i ke alo. #401
A burden on the back; a babe in the arms.
[Said of a hard-working woman who carries a load on her back and a baby in her arms.]

Hana a lau a lau ke aho, a laila loaʻa ka iʻa kāpapa o ka moana. #446
Make four hundred times four hundred fish lines before planning to go after the fighting fish of the sea.
[Be well prepared for a big project.]

Hana a mikiʻoi, lawe a ʻauliʻi. #447
Be deft ad dainty.
[Said to young people: Be neat, sweet, and clever — not crude and blundering.]

Hanuʻu ke kai i Mokuola. #473
The sea recedes at Mokuola.
[Now is the opportune time to venture forth.]

He ʻai e kāhela ai ka ʻūhā. #515
An eating that spreads the intestines.
[The enjoyment of a good meal when labor is finished and all is at peace.]

He lani i luna, he honua i lalo. #718
Heaven above, Earth beneath.
[Said of a person who cultivates harmony on his property, he is sure of his own security. The sky is above him and the Earth is the foundation beneath his feet.]

Hele nō i ka hola iʻa i ka lā. #751
Fish poison should be used in the daytime.
[Greater efficiency is achieved in the daytime.]

He ola na ka ʻōiwi, lawe aʻe nō a ʻai haʻaheo. #860
A life made by the native, [one can] take and eat proudly.
[When one has earned his own livelihood he can take his food and eat it with pride.]

He pūkoʻa kani ʻāina. #932
A coral reef grows into an island.
[A person beginning in a small way gains steadily until he becomes firmly established]

He pūkoʻa kū no ka moana. #933
A large rock standing in the sea.
[Said of a person who is unchangeable and very determined.]

Malia paha he iki ʻunu, paʻa ka pōhaku nui ʻaʻole e kaʻa. #2125
Perhaps it is a small stone that can keep the big rock from rolling down.

O ke kahua mamua, mahope ke kūkulu. #2459
The site [foundation] first, and then the building

‘U‘uku ka hana, ‘u‘uku ka loa‘a. #2884
Little work, little gain.
[You reap what you sow. If you give a little do not expect a large return.]

Akahele (being cautious)

E ʻau mālie i ke kai pāpaʻu, o pakī ka wai a pula ka maka. #267
Swim quietly in shallow water lest it splash into the eyes.
[A cautioning where one is not sure of conditions.]

Source: Pukui, M. K. (1983). ‘Ōlelo No‘eau Hawaiian Proverbs & Poetical Sayings. Honolulu, Hawaii: Bishop Museum Press.

ʻŌlelo Noeau compiled by Johanna Kapōmaikaʻi Stone and Danielle Espiritu

ʻŌlelo Noeau: Aʻo (teaching and learning)

ʻAʻohe pau ka ʻike i ka hālau hoʻokahi. #203
All knowledge is not taught in the same school.
[One can learn from many sources.]

E hoʻōki i ka hoʻina wale, o hōʻino ʻia mai ke kumu. #291
One should never go home without [some knowledge] lest his teacher be criticized.

E kuhikuhi pono i nā au iki a me nā au nui. #325
Instruct well in the little and the large currents of knowledge.
[In teaching, do it well; the small details are as important as the large ones.]

E lawe i ke aʻo a mālama, a e ʻoi mau ka naʻauao. #328
He who takes his teachings and applies them increases his knowledge.

ʻEliʻeli kūlana o ʻĀinaʻike. #339
Profound is the nature of ʻĀinaʻike.
[Refers to a person respected for the depth of his knowledge.]

He ipu kāʻeo. #643
A full calabash.
[A knowledgeable person. Also expressed ʻūmeke kāʻeo.]

He kāʻeʻaʻeʻa pulu ʻole no ka heʻenalu. #649
An expert on the surfboard who does not get wet.
[Praise of an outstanding surfer, or expert in their field.]

He kawa ia naʻu i lele a ʻopu. #679
[That is] a diving place in which I dived without making a splash.
[Said of something that is easy to do because one is accustomed to doing it.]

He lawaiʻa no ke kai pāpaʻu, he pōkole nō ke aho. He lawaiʻa no ke kai hohonu, he loa ke aho. #725
A fisherman of the shallow sea uses only a short line; a fisherman of the deep has a long line.
[A person whose knowledge is shallow does not have much. But he whose knowledge is great, has much.]

Akamai (wisdom)

He noio ʻaʻe ʻale no ke kai loa. # 844
A noio that treads over the billows of the distant sea.
[An expression of admiration for a person outstanding in wisdom and skill. The noio is a small tern.]

Hoʻonaʻauao (general teachings)

ʻAʻa i ka hula, waiho ka hilahila i ka hale. #2
When one wants to dance the hula, let bashfulness be left at home

Aia i ka ʻōpua ke ola: he ola nui, he ola laulā, he ola hohonu, he ola kiʻekiʻe. #42
Life is in the clouds: great life, broad life, deep life, elevated life.
[The reader of omens knows by their shape and color whether clouds promise rain and prosperity, or warn of disaster.]

Aia ke ola i ka waha; aia ka make i ka waha. #60
Life is in the mouth; death is in the mouth.
[Spoken words can enliven, spoken words can destroy.]

Ako ʻē ka hale a paʻa, a i ke komo ʻana mai o ka hoʻoilo, ʻaʻole e kulu i ka ua o Hilinaʻehu. #100
Thatch the house beforehand so when winter comes it will not leak in the shower of Hilinaʻehu.
[Do not procrastinate; make preparations for the future now.]

Aloha mai nō, aloha aku: ʻo ka huhū ka mea e ola ʻole ai. #113
When love is given, love should be returned; anger is the thing that gives no life.

ʻAʻohe hana i nele i ka uku. #141
No deed lacks a reward.
[Every deed, good or bad, receives its just reward.]

ʻAʻohe loko maikaʻi i nele i ka pānaʻi. #177
No kind deed has ever lacked its reward.

ʻAʻohe mea koe ma kūʻono. #187
Nothing remains in the corners.
[Said of one who is extremely generous, giving freely without reservation.]

ʻAʻohe mea make i ka hewa; make nō i ka mihi ʻole. #188
[No one has ever died for mistakes made, only because they did not repent.]

ʻAohe pilo uku. #205
No reward is a trifle.
[Even a small gift is appreciated.]

ʻAʻohe uʻi hele wale o Kohala. #211
No youth of Kohala goes empty-handed.
[Said in praise of people who do not go anywhere without a gift or a helping hand.]

E ʻai i ka mea i loaʻa. #251
What you have, eat.
[Be satisfied with what you have.]

E nihi ka helena i ka uka o Puna; mai pūlale i ka ʻike a ka maka. #360
Go quietly in the upland of Puna; do not let anything you see excite you.
[Watch your step and do not let the things you see lead you into trouble. There is an abundance of flowers and berries in the uplands of Puna and it is thought that picking any on the trip up to the volcano will result in being caught in heavy rains; the picking is left until the return trip. Also said to loved ones to imply, “Go carefully and be mindful.”]

He iʻa no ka moana, he aho loa kū i ke koʻa. #612
A fish of the deep sea requires a long line that reaches the sea floor.
[In order to obtain good position, one must prepare.]

He ʻike ʻana ia i ka pono. #620
It is a recognizing of the right thing.
[One has seen the right thing to do and has done it.]

He lohe ke ola, he kuli ka make. #766
To hear is life, to turn a deaf ear is death.
[It pays to heed sound advice.]

He manu hānai ke kanaka na ka moe. #802
Man is like a pet bird belonging to the realm of sleep.
[Dreams are very important. By them, one is guided to good fortune and warned of misfortune. Like a pet bird, man is taken care of.]

Source: Pukui, M. K. (1983). ‘Ōlelo No‘eau Hawaiian Proverbs & Poetical Sayings. Honolulu, Hawaii: Bishop Museum Press.

ʻŌlelo Noeau compiled by Johanna Kapōmaikaʻi Stone and Danielle Espiritu

ʻŌlelo Noeau: Relating to ʻĀina (land)

Ēwe hānau o ka ʻāina. #387
Natives of the land.
[People who were born and dwelt on the land.]

Hāhai nō ka ua i ka ululāʻau. #405
Rain always follows the forest.
[The rains are attracted to forest trees. Knowing this, Hawaiians hewed only the trees that were needed.]

Hānau ka ʻāina, hānau ke aliʻi, hānau ke kanaka. #466
Born was the land, born were the chiefs, born were the common people
[The land, the chiefs, and the commoners belong together.]

Hawaiʻi kuauli. #501
Hawaiʻi with verdant country.

He aliʻi ka ʻāina, he kauwā ke kanaka. #531
The land is a chief, man is her servant.
[The land has no need for man, but men need the land and cultivated her for a livelihood of abundance.]

Source: Pukui, M. K. (1983). ‘Ōlelo No‘eau Hawaiian Proverbs & Poetical Sayings. Honolulu, Hawaii: Bishop Museum Press.

ʻŌlelo Noeau compiled by Johanna Kapōmaikaʻi Stone and Danielle Espiritu

ʻŌlelo Noeau: Relating to Kalo (Taro) & Mahiʻai (Farming)

ʻAi nō i kalo moʻa. #83
One can eat cooked taro,
[The work is done; one can sit at ease and enjoy himself.]

Eia ua lani a Hāloa i pili ai ka hanu i ke kapu. #308
Here is a chief descended from Hāloa, whose kapu makes one hold his breath in dread.
[A complement to a chief. To be able to trace descent from Hāloa, an ancient chief, was to be of very high rank from remote antiquity.]

E kāmau iho i ka hoe a pae aku i ke kula. #315
Dip in the paddle till you reach the shore.
[Keep dipping your finger in the poi until you have had your fill.]

E kanu meaʻai, o nānā keiki i kā haʻi. #317
Plant edible food plants lest your children look with longing at someone else’s.

E piʻi ana kahi poʻe, e iho ana kahi poʻe. #372
Some folks go up, some go down.
[While the fingers of some are in the poi bowl, the fingers of others are at the mouth.]

He kalo paʻa. #666
Unpounded taro.
[A spinster or a bachelor.]

E kanu i ka huli ʻoi hāʻule ka ua. #316
Plant the taro stalks while there is rain.
[Do your work when the opportunity affords.]

He kanu Māhoemua, he kalo pū’ali. #671
When one plants in the month of Māhoemua (Hilinaʻehu), they will have irregularly shaped taro.

He keiki aloha nā mea kanu. #684
Beloved children are the plants.
[It is said of farmers that their plants are like beloved children, receiving much love, attention and care.]

Hele nō ka ʻalā, hele nō ka lima. #752
The rock goes, the hand goes.
[To make good poi, the free hand must work in unison with the poi pounder. Keep both hands working to do good work.]

He māʻona ʻai a he māʻona iʻa ko ka noanoa. #806
The commoner is satisfied with food and fish.
[The commoner has no greater ambition than success in farming and fishing.]

He meheuheu mai nā kūpuna mai. #817
Habits acquired from the ancestors; such as fishing, farming – sciences that cultivate abundance.

He poʻo ulu ko nā mea kanu. #914
Plants have heads that will grow again.
[An assurance that if you break off the top of a plant, it will put forth a new one.]

I maikaʻi ke kalo i ka ʻohā. #1232
The goodness of the taro is judged by the young plant it produces.
[Parents are often judged by the behavior of their children]

Ke kalo paʻa o Waiahole* #1735
The hard taro of Waiahole.

Source: Pukui, M. K. (1983). ‘Ōlelo No‘eau Hawaiian Proverbs & Poetical Sayings. Honolulu, Hawaii: Bishop Museum Press.

ʻŌlelo Noeau compiled by Johanna Kapōmaikaʻi Stone and Danielle Espiritu

Wai (Fresh Water)

Ua (Rain)

ʻĀpuakea

This is a general rain for Koʻolaupoko. Especially Kailua, Waimānalo and Kāneʻohe. ʻĀpuakea was a very beautiful woman, that out of jealousy perhaps, Hiʻiaka turned into rain.

 “The ʻĀpuakea rain of Koʻolaupoko was named after ʻĀpuakeanui, the most beautiful woman in Kailua from the moʻolelo of the goddess Hiʻiakaikapoliopele.”

(Akana & Gonzalez, 2015, aoao xvi)

“‘Āpuakea. Rain associated with Hāna, Maui, and with Koʻolaupoko, Oʻahu, and found in other areas. Also the name of a place in Kāneʻohe, Oʻahu”

(Akana & Gonzalez, 2015, aoao 4)

“Rain of Kailua, Oʻahu

7. E ka ua ʻĀpuakea
Kui ʻia mai nā ʻāhihi
Na ka Malanai e lawe mai
I wehi i ʻohu no Kalani
O ʻĀpuakea rain

The ʻāhihi blossoms are to be strung
The Malanai wind will bring them
As a decoration, an adornment for the chief

From the song “Pela kapu o Kakae” by the Kawaihau Glee Club.
Hawaiian source: Holstein 33.
English trans. By author.

8. “Akā, ʻo kaʻu wahi ʻai naʻe, aia lā i ka ua ʻĀpuakea o Kailua.”

“But the food I was is there in the ʻĀpuakea rain of Kailua.”

Said by Hiʻiakaikapoliopele, referring to the lūʻau leaves broiled by Kaʻanahau.
Hawaiian source: Hoʻoulumāhiehie, Ka Moʻolelo 450.
English trans.: Hoʻoulumāhiehie, Epic 420.” (Akana & Gonzalez, 2015, aoao 6)

Rain of Kekele, luluku, and Maluaka, Oʻahu

9. “No kēlā ino mai ʻo ʻĀpuakeanui i loaʻa mai ai kēlā ua kaulana o Kailua e hele mai ai a haluku iho i ka ulu hala o Kekele me Luluku, ʻo ia hoʻi ka ua ʻĀpuakea, i holo ma ko ke mele, penei:

Hele haʻaheo ka ua ʻĀpuakea
Holo ʻaui i ke kai o Maluaka ē, i laila
Kaʻa ʻōlelo ka ua i luna o ka hala
Ke poʻo o ka hala o ʻĀhulimanu

From that name, ʻĀpuakeanui, came the name of the famous rain of Kailua that pummels the hala groves of Kekele and Luluku, namely the ʻĀpuakea, which goes like this in song:

The ʻĀpuakea rain moves proudly along
Slipping off into the sea of Maluaka, ah, there
Words are spoken by the rain on the hall
The uppermost hala of ʻĀhulimanu

From the legend of Hiʻiakaikapoliopele.
Hawaiian source: Hoʻoulumāhiehie, Ka Moʻolelo 146.
English trans.: Hoʻoulumāhiehie, Epic 137-38.
Note: Hoʻoulumāhiehie says that “ʻĀpuakeanui” is the name of a woman who was considered the most beautiful in all of Kailua, Oʻahu.

Rain of Koʻolau, Oʻahu

10. E hoʻi e ka uʻi o Koʻolau
ʻOiai ua malu nā pali
ʻO ka neʻe a ka ua ʻĀpuakea
Kāhiko i ke oho o ka palai

Let the youth of Koʻolau return home
For the cliffs are shaded
The creeping of the ʻĀpuakea rain
That adorns the fronds of the palai ferns

From the song “Pali Koolau.”
Hawaiian source: Holstein 74.
English trans. by author.

11. Aloha wale ka leo ua makani
Ka leo heahea o ka ua ʻĀpuakea
E hea ana i ke ao makani kualau

So beloved is the windy, rainy voice
The calling voice of the ʻĀpuakea rain
Calling to the windy kualau rain cloud

From an affectionate greeting by Kahelekūlani to her child.
Hawaiian source: Kaualilinoe, “Ka moolelo” 11/12/1870.
English trans. by author. Additional source: Kaualilinoe, “Legend” (Akana & Gonzalez, 2015, aoao 89).

Kapuaʻikanaka

“2. I ia wā ʻo ia i ʻike aku ai ia ka hele kawewe ʻana aʻe a ka ua i Pālāwai….I kēia wā i paeaea aʻe ai ʻo ia i kēia kau e pili ana i ke kāne, iā Kaʻanahau, a iā Pele nō hoʻi.
Kuʻu kāne i ke ala pili o Mahinui
Mai ka ua Kapuaʻikanaka i Pālāwai
Ka ua o Kailua i kai ē

At that point, she recognized the thrumming rain of Pālāwai….At this time, she presented the following chant about Kaʻanahau, which also pertained to Pele.
My man of the clinging path of Mahinui
From the [Kapuaʻikanaka] rain of Pālāwai that follows like footsteps
The rain of Kailua by the sea

From the legend of Hiʻiakaikapoliopele. Kaʻanahau of Kailua, Oʻahu, was Hiʻiaka’s lover.
Hawaiian source: Hoʻoulumāhiehie, Ka Moʻolelo 154.
English trans.: Hoʻoulumāhiehie, Epic 145.” (Akana & Gonzalez, 2015, aoao 68)

Kuahine

“…ʻO ka ua Kuahine, ʻo ka ua ia mai Kailua a hiki i ʻUalakaʻa.

The ua Kuahine is the rain from Kailua to ʻUalakaʻa.

(Akana & Gonzalez, 2015, aoao 278)

Akana, C. L. and Gonzalez, K. (2015). Hānau Ka Ua: Hawaiian Rain Names. Kamehameha Publishing: Honolulu.

Pōpōkapa

Ka ua popo kapa is a soft, gentle rain of Maunawili and Ka Nuku o Nuʻuanu (hairpin lookout turn). This is a gentle rain that still makes us “popo” our “kapa.” It makes us roll up our clothes bundles so they won’t get wet. This is a vital rain to replenish our aquifer. Maunawili sits upon our aquifer.

KAHAWAI (STREAMS)

“Seven large streams begin as springs and tributaries on slopes in the Koʻolau Range, on Aniani Nui Ridge, and on Olomana, and then cross Maunawili Valley, carrying water to every tributary valley and lowland plain in the catchment. Clockwise from the south, these streams include ʻAinoni, Maunawili, ʻŌmaʻo, Palapū, Kahanaiki, Olomana, and Makawao. At least fifty springs – forty-three seasonal and seven perennial – recharge the streams, which eventually join Maunawili Stream today, to flow northeast through Kawainui Marsh and empty into Kailua Bay”

(Brennan & Allen, 2009, p. 73)

Brennan, P. and Allen, J. (2009). Life Along the Streams in Maunawili. In Kailua. (pp. 73-86) Kailua Historical Society.

PUNAWAI / WAI HŪ (SPRINGS)

Kapunawaiolaokapalai
The name of the ʻāina Hoʻokuaʻāina stewards is Kapunawaiolaokapalai, the living, lifegiving, healing spring of Kapalai.

Pikoakea
Spring found just below Awāwaloa. “The piko, the source of clean pure water that feeds the streams”

(Piliāmoʻo as cited in Saffery, 2009, p. 45)

Saffery, M. (2009). Pikoakea. In Kailua. (pp. 44-49). Kailua Historical Society.

LOKO IʻA (FISHPONDS)

…The eyes looked with eagerness on the plain of Alele where the chief Kakuhihewa vacationed. It was beautiful from the flats of Alaala to the coast of Puunaʻo and Kalaeohua, from the place of the drifting sea weed of Kuahine of the place of the lipoa sea weed of Oneawa. We saw the heiau of Leleiwi; pleasant Kapaa in the mist; Halekou, the pond of fat fish; Kaluapuhi (Eel pit); Waikolu; the famous pond of Kaelepulu where Makalei, the fish attracting stick stood. The necks of the birds appeared on the pond of Kawainui among the rushes…

Huakai Makaikai i na Wahi Pana o Kini Kailua
Oahu Places: Ke Au Hou
Aug. 9, 1911
(Sterling & Summers, p. 227)

“The ahupuaʻa of Kailua and its sources of foods such as the fishing grounds for ahi at Haoʻo, the kahala fish of Poʻo, the fat fishes of the ponds of Kawainui, Kaʻelepulu and Wakahulu, and the salt of Kaluapuhi (Mokapu), belonged to Maui-hope (Second-Maui).”

Kauakahiakahaola (Kamakau)
He manawa haowale anei Keia, a Kaili a pakahawale, Kuokoa, Nov. 27, 1875

(Sterling & Summers, p. 227-228)

Sterling, E. P. & Summers, C. C. (1978). Sites of Oahu. Bishop Museum Press.

Kaʻelepulu
Ka-ʻele-pulu. Pond (former fishpond), stream, and playground, now called Enchanted Lake, Kai-lua, Oʻahu. Lit., the moist blackness.

Pūkuʻi, Elbert, & Moʻokini. Place Names of Hawaiʻi. 1974, 2004. University of Hawaiʻi Press.

Kawainui
“Many Waters.” A large fresh water pond in Kailua, and famous for the oopu kuia and for having once possessed the famous fish log Makalei. The oopu kuia was a large fat mud fish, caught by many people joining hands and dancing in its waters to stir up mud, when the fish would run their heads up against the people, and so were caught. The fishes would cluster very thickly against particular individuals while leaving many others untouched, when, of course, he or she, would make a good haul and fill up his calabashes rapidly. This gave rise to the common saying of the olden times, “he ili ona ia” – “attractive skin.”

Dictionary of Hawaiian Localities
Saturday Press
Oct. 6, 1883
(Sterling & Summers, p. 230)

Sterling, E. P. & Summers, C. C. (1978). Sites of Oahu. Bishop Museum Press.

Mahinui (“great strength”)
A mountain, fishpond and stream at Mōkapu, Oʻahu. Name of a legendary hero defeated by Olomana. His body was cast from Olomana to its present location near Kalāheo.

Clark, John. Hawaiʻi Place Names. 2002. University of Hawaiʻi Press.

Pūkuʻi, Elbert, & Moʻokini. Place Names of Hawaiʻi. 1974, 2004. University of Hawaiʻi Press.

Compiled by Danielle Espiritu, Education Specialist

ʻŌlelo Noeau: Relating to Kailua

Kailua

Hawaiʻi palu lāʻī. #503
Ti-leaf lickers of Hawaiʻi.
[This saying originated after Kamehameha conquered the island of Oʻahu. The people of Kailua, Oʻahu, gave a great feast for him, not expecting him to bring such a crowd of people. The first to arrive ate up the meat, so the second group had to be content with licking and nibbling at the bits of meat that adhered to the ti leaves. In derision, the people of Oʻahu called them “ti-leaf lickers.”]

Kini Kailua, mano Kāneʻohe. #1801
Forty thousand in Kailua, four thousand in Kāneʻohe.
[A great number. Said by a woman named Kawaihoʻolana whose grandson was ruthlessly murdered by someone from either Kailua or Kāneʻohe. She declared that this many would perish by sorcery to avenge him. Another version credits Keohokauouli, a kahuna in the time of Kamehameha, for this saying. He suggested sorcery as a means of destroying the conqueror’s Oʻahu enemies.]

Mālama o ʻike i ke kaula ʻili hau o Kailua. #2118
Take care lest you feel the haubark rope of Kailua.
[Take care lest you get hurt. When braided into a rounded rope, hau bark is strong, and when used as a switch it can be painful.]

Maunawili

Ua piʻi paha i ka ʻulu o Maunawili. #2848
Gone up, perhaps, to fetch the breadfruit of Maunawili.
[A play on wili (twist, turn about).
Said of one who is confused.]

Kawainui

He lepo ka ʻai a Oʻahu, a māʻona no i ka lepo. #758
Earth is the food of Oʻahu, and it is satisfied with its earth.
[Said in derision of Oʻahu, which was said to be an earth-eating land. In olden times, an edible mud like gelatine was said to fill Kawainui Pond. The mud, which was brought hither from Kahiki in ancient days, was once served to the warriors and servants of Kamehameha as a replacement for poi.]

He ʻoʻopu kuʻia, ka iʻa hilahila o Kawainui. 866
A bashful ʻoʻopu, the shy fish of Kawainui.
[Said of a bashful person. Kawainui at Kailua was one of the largest fishponds on Oʻahu.]

Wawā ka menehune i Puʻukapele ma Kauaʻi, puoho ka manu o ka loko o Kawainui ma Oʻahu. #2920
The shouts of the menehune on Puʻukapele on Kauaʻi startled the birds of Kawainui Pond on Oʻahu.
[The menehune were once so numerous on Kauaʻi that their shouting could be heard on Oʻahu. Said of too much boisterous talking.]

Source: Pukui, M. K. (1983). ‘Ōlelo No‘eau Hawaiian Proverbs & Poetical Sayings. Honolulu, Hawaii: Bishop Museum Press.

ʻŌlelo Noeau compiled by Johanna Kapōmaikaʻi Stone and Danielle Espiritu

Makani (Winds)

Malanai

Ka Malanai is the gentle (northeast, according to some) breeze associated with Kailua. This wind is said to induce lovemaking.

“Holopali is of Kaʻaʻawa and Kualoa,
Kiliua is of Waikāne,
Mololani is of Kuaaohe,
Ulumano is of Kāneʻohe,
The wind is for Kaholoakeāhole,
Puahiohio is the upland wind of Nuʻuanu,
Malanai is of Kailua,
Limu-li-puʻupuʻu comes ashore at Waimānalo,
ʻAlopali is of Pāhonu,
At Makapuʻu the wind turns…”

(Nakuina, 1990, 55)

“Malanai: a gentle breeze (Kailua, Oʻahu; Kōloa, Kauaʻi)”

(Nakuina, 1990, 134)

Nakuina, M. K. (1990). The Wind Gourd of Laʻamaomao. Kalamakū Press: Honolulu.

Kaiāulu

Also a gentle breeze, referenced in newspaper article by B. V. Kalanikuihonoinamoku.

See Kalanikuihonoinamoku, B. V. Ke Au Okoa. No Na wahi a na’Lii e makemake ai e noho ma ka wa kahiko ma ka Mokupuni o Oahu nei. 31 Iul 1865.

Original Text from Ke Au Okoa, accessed through Papakilo Database

Ka Makani Huʻe Kapa

Ka Makani Huʻe Kapa is the wind of Ka Nuku o Nuʻuanu (hairpin lookout turn). This is a strong gusty wind that “huʻe” our “kapa.” It is said to lift up our clothes because it is so gusty. This is a familiar wind to those who would frequently travel (walk) ka Nuku o Nuʻuanu on their way to and from Kona (town)

Compiled by Danielle Espiritu, Education Specialist

Ua (Rains)

ʻĀpuakea

This is a general rain for Koʻolaupoko. Especially Kailua, Waimānalo and Kāneʻohe. ʻĀpuakea was a very beautiful woman, that out of jealousy perhaps, Hiʻiaka turned into rain.

“The ʻĀpuakea rain of Koʻolaupoko was named after ʻĀpuakeanui, the most beautiful woman in Kailua from the moʻolelo of the goddess Hiʻiakaikapoliopele”.
(Akana & Gonzalez, 2015, aoao xvi)

“‘Āpuakea. Rain associated with Hāna, Maui, and with Koʻolaupoko, Oʻahu, and found in other areas. Also the name of a place in Kāneʻohe, Oʻahu”.
(Akana & Gonzalez, 2015, aoao 4)

Rain of Kailua, Oʻahu

E ka ua ʻĀpuakea
Kui ʻia mai nā ʻāhihi
Na ka Malanai e lawe mai
I wehi i ʻohu no Kalani
O ʻĀpuakea rain
The ʻāhihi blossoms are to be strung
The Malanai wind will bring them
As a decoration, an adornment for the chief

From the song “Pela kapu o Kakae” by the Kawaihau Glee Club.
Hawaiian source: Holstein 33. English trans. By author.

“Akā, ʻo kaʻu wahi ʻai naʻe, aia lā i ka ua ʻĀpuakea o Kailua.” “But the food I was is there in the ʻĀpuakea rain of Kailua.”

Said by Hiʻiakaikapoliopele, referring to the lūʻau leaves broiled by Kaʻanahau.
Hawaiian source: Hoʻoulumāhiehie, Ka Moʻolelo 450.
English trans.: Hoʻoulumāhiehie, Epic 420.” (Akana & Gonzalez, 2015, aoao 6)

Rain of Kekele, luluku, and Maluaka, Oʻahu

“No kēlā ino mai ʻo ʻĀpuakeanui i loaʻa mai ai kēlā ua kaulana o Kailua e hele mai ai a haluku iho i ka ulu hala o Kekele me Luluku, ʻo ia hoʻi ka ua ʻĀpuakea, i holo ma ko ke mele, penei:
….
Hele haʻaheo ka ua ʻĀpuakea
Holo ʻaui i ke kai o Maluaka ē, i laila
Kaʻa ʻōlelo ka ua i luna o ka hala
Ke poʻo o ka hala o ʻĀhulimanu

From that name, ʻĀpuakeanui, came the name of the famous rain of Kailua that pummels the hala groves of Kekele and Luluku, namely the ʻĀpuakea, which goes like this in song:
…….
The ʻĀpuakea rain moves proudly along
Slipping off into the sea of Maluaka, ah, there
Words are spoken by the rain on the hala
The uppermost hala of ʻĀhulimanu

From the legend of Hiʻiakaikapoliopele.
Hawaiian source: Hoʻoulumāhiehie, Ka Moʻolelo 146.
English trans.: Hoʻoulumāhiehie, Epic 137-38. Note: Hoʻoulumāhiehie says that “ʻĀpuakeanui” is the name of a woman who was considered the most beautiful in all of Kailua, Oʻahu.

Rain of Koʻolau, Oʻahu

E hoʻi e ka uʻi o Koʻolau
ʻOiai ua malu nā pali
ʻO ka neʻe a ka ua ʻĀpuakea
Kāhiko i ke oho o ka palai
Let the youth of Koʻolau return home
For the cliffs are shaded
The creeping of the ʻĀpuakea rain
That adorns the fronds of the palai ferns

From the song “Pali Koolau.”
Hawaiian source: Holstein 74.
English trans. by author.

Aloha wale ka leo ua makani
Ka leo heahea o ka ua ʻĀpuakea
E hea ana i ke ao makani kualau
So beloved is the windy, rainy voice
The calling voice of the ʻĀpuakea rain
Calling to the windy kualau rain cloud

From an affectionate greeting by Kahelekūlani to her child.
Hawaiian source: Kaualilinoe, “Ka moolelo” 11/12/1870.
English trans. by author. Additional source: Kaualilinoe, “Legend” (Akana & Gonzalez, 2015, aoao 89).

Akana, C. L. and Gonzalez, K. (2015). Hānau Ka Ua: Hawaiian Rain Names. Kamehameha Publishing: Honolulu.

Kapuaʻikanaka

I ia wā ʻo ia i ʻike aku ai ia ka hele kawewe ʻana aʻe a ka ua i Pālāwai….I kēia wā i paeaea aʻe ai ʻo ia i kēia kau e pili ana i ke kāne, iā Kaʻanahau, a iā Pele nō hoʻi.
Kuʻu kāne i ke ala pili o Mahinui
Mai ka ua Kapuaʻikanaka i Pālāwai
Ka ua o Kailua i kai ē

At that point, she recognized the thrumming rain of Pālāwai…At this time, she presented the following chant about Kaʻanahau, which also pertained to Pele.
My man of the clinging path of Mahinui
From the [Kapuaʻikanaka] rain of Pālāwai that follows like footsteps
The rain of Kailua by the sea

From the legend of Hiʻiakaikapoliopele. Kaʻanahau of Kailua, Oʻahu, was Hiʻiaka’s lover.
Hawaiian source: Hoʻoulumāhiehie, Ka Moʻolelo 154.
English trans.: Hoʻoulumāhiehie, Epic 145.” (Akana & Gonzalez, 2015, aoao 68)

Akana, C. L. and Gonzalez, K. (2015). Hānau Ka Ua: Hawaiian Rain Names. Kamehameha Publishing: Honolulu.

Kuahine

…ʻO ka ua Kuahine, ʻo ka ua ia mai Kailua a hiki i ʻUalakaʻa.

…The ua Kuahine is the rain from Kailua to ʻUalakaʻa.”

(Akana & Gonzalez, 2015, aoao 278)

Akana, C. L. and Gonzalez, K. (2015). Hānau Ka Ua: Hawaiian Rain Names. Kamehameha Publishing: Honolulu.

Pōpōkapa

Ka ua popo kapa is a soft, gentle rain of Maunawili and Ka Nuku o Nuʻuanu (hairpin lookout turn). This is a gentle rain that still makes us “popo” our “kapa.” It makes us roll up our clothes bundles so they won’t get wet. This is a vital rain to replenish our aquifer. Maunawili sits upon our aquifer.

Compiled by Danielle Espiritu, Education Specialist

Wahi Pana (Sacred & Celebrated Places)

ʻĀLELE
(“it has flown”)

Land area in the approximate center of Kailua, Oʻahu, formerly a plain called Kula-o-ʻĀlele, a sports area.

Parker, Henry H. A Dictionary of the Hawaiian Language. 1922. The Board of Commissioners of Public Archives of the Territory of Hawaiʻi.

Pūkuʻi, Elbert, & Moʻokini. Place Names of Hawaiʻi. 1974, 2004. University of Hawaiʻi Press.

Many stories of Kākuhihewa remind us of the prosperity and splendor during his reign. Peace prevailed throughout the island, farming and fishing provided unlimited supplies of food for all, and population and wealth increased.  The cheerful, beloved Kākuhihewa was greeted by the bravest, wisest, and most brilliant of the aristocracy of the other islands. Kākuhihewa held his residences at three locations: ʻEwa, Waikīkī, and Kailua.  All three areas were lush and well-stocked and accustomed to providing for a very large court and accompanying guests.  A large dwelling was built at ʻĀlele in Kailua that was named Pāmoa to hold court and entertain his many guests.  This area was also formerly known as Kula o ʻĀlele and was located at the center of Kailua, Oʻahu.

Retrieved from: https://apps.ksbe.edu/kaiwakiloumoku/kakuhihewa

Akana, H. (2013). Kākuhihewa.

AWĀWALOA

Peak that “marks the center of Maunawili Valley” (Piliāmoʻo as cited in Saffery, 2009, p. 45)

Saffery, M. (2009). Pikoakea. In Kailua. (pp. 44-49). Kailua Historical Society.

KAʻELEPULU

Ka-ʻele-pulu. Pond (former fishpond), stream, and playground, now called Enchanted Lake, Kai-lua, Oʻahu. Lit., the moist blackness.

Pūkuʻi, Elbert, & Moʻokini. Place Names of Hawaiʻi. 1974, 2004. University of Hawaiʻi Press

KAILUA
(“two seas”)

The ahupuaʻa between Waimānalo and Kāneʻohe in the moku of Koʻolaupoko. Perhaps named so because of Kawainui and Kaʻelepulu, two great fishponds of the area that connect to the sea.

Pūkuʻi, Elbert, & Moʻokini. Place Names of Hawaiʻi. 1974, 2004. University of Hawaiʻi Press.

Kailua

…The eyes looked with eagerness on the plain of Alele where the chief Kakuhihewa vacationed. It was beautiful from the flats of Alaala to the coast of Puunaʻo and Kalaeohua, from the place of the drifting sea weed of Kuahine of the place of the lipoa sea weed of Oneawa. We saw the heiau of Leleiwi; pleasant Kapaa in the mist; Halekou, the pond of fat fish; Kaluapuhi (Eel pit); Waikolu; the famous pond of Kaelepulu where Makalei, the fish attracting stick stood. The necks of the birds appeared on the pond of Kawainui among the rushes…

Huakai Makaikai i na Wahi Pana o Kini Kailua
Oahu Places: Ke Au Hou
Aug. 9, 1911
(Sterling & Summers, p. 227)

“The ahupuaʻa of Kailua and its sources of foods such as the fishing grounds for ahi at Haoʻo, the kahala fish of Poʻo, the fat fishes of the ponds of Kawainui, Kaʻelepulu and Wakahulu, and the salt of Kaluapuhi (Mokapu), belonged to Maui-hope (Second-Maui).”

Kauakahiakahaola (Kamakau)
He manawa haowale anei Keia, a Kaili a pakahawale, Kuokoa, Nov. 27, 1875
(Sterling & Summers, p. 227-228)
Sterling, E. P. & Summers, C. C. (1978). Sites of Oahu. Bishop Museum Press.

The area that included what is now Kāneʻohe and Kailua, which was rich in fishponds and tillable lands, was the seat of the ruling chiefs of Koʻolaupoko (Short Koʻolau) which was the southern portion of the windward coast.

(Handy et. al, p. 272)

Kailua

Kailua was the home of the aliʻi Kualiʻi in the early 18th century, and presumably had been the seat of hte high chiefs of Koʻolaupoko from very early times. The beach, the bay, and living conditions were and are very attractive. Waimanalo and Kaneʻohe [sp], both rich farming areas, were neighboring. Access to the northern districts of Koʻolaupoko was easy over the waters of the great indentation in the coast now called Kaneʻohe Bay, which extends from Kaneʻohe harbord along the whole Koʻolaupoko coast, past Heʻeia, Kahaluʻu, Kaʻalaea, Waiahole, Waikane, and Hakipuʻu to Kualoa. All these districts were rich in agricultural resources and fishing grounds, but were not attractive from teh point of view of residence.

Undoubtedly further reasons for the attractiveness of Kailua as a place of residence for an aliʻi nui with his large entourage were the great natural fishponds, Kaʻelepulu and Kawainui, and the complex of artificial salt-water ponds that are between Kailua and Kaneʻohe in the Mokapu area: Halelou, Nuʻupia, and Kaluapuhi.

Kailua must formerly have been very rich agriculturally, having one of the most extensive continuous terrace areas on Oahu, extending inland one and a half miles from the margin of Kawainui Swamp. Terraces extended up into the various valleys that run back into the Koʻolau range. There were some terraces watered by springs and a small stream from Olomana mountain along the western slope of the ridge that lies southeast of Kawainui Swamp, and another system of terraces was east of the seaward end of the ridge, watered by the stream which joins Kawainui and Kaʻelepulu Ponds. There were also terraces north of the Kawainui Pond, and several terrace areas flanked Kaʻelepulu Pond at the base of the ridge to the eastward. Much former taro land reverted to swamp when abandoned; this has since been drained.

(Handy et. al, p. 457)

Handy, E. S. C, Handy, E. G., & Pukui, M. K. 1991. Native planters in old Hawaii: Their life, lore & environment. Bishop Museum Press.

Kailua i ke Oho a ka Malanai: An Essay by Kīhei and Māpuana de Silva

de Silva, K. & M. de Silva (2017). Kailua i ke Oho o ka Malanai.

Retrieved from: http://www.hikaalani.website/uploads/3/4/9/7/34977599/kailua_i_ka_malanai_for_hweb.pdf

KAʻIWA
(“the frigate bird”)

A peak and ridge above Kaʻōhao, Kailua that is now a popular hiking spot. Named for the Hawaiian frigate bird that hunts fish because they were often seen here.

Pūkuʻi, Elbert, & Moʻokini. Place Names of Hawaiʻi. 1974, 2004. University of Hawaiʻi Press.

KAPALAI

Kapalai is the name of the ʻili ʻāina where Hoʻokuaʻāina is located. The name of the ʻāina Hoʻokuaʻāina stewards is Kapunawaiolaokapalai, the living, lifegiving, healing spring of Kapalai.

An ʻili in the uplands of Kailua.

Parker, Henry H. A Dictionary of the Hawaiian Language. 1922. The Board of Commissioners of Public Archives of the Territory of Hawaiʻi.

At the time of the tax assessment in Kailua in 1846, Kauha was the konohiki (land manager) who oversaw the ʻili ʻāina of Kapalai. At this time there were 6 moʻo ʻāina (parcels) in Kapalai (Silva, 2009, p. 16).

Silva, C. (2009). Kailua in the Mid-Nineteenth Century. In Kailua. (pp. 7-18). Kailua Historical Society.

KAWAINUI

Kawainui Pond

Site 370. Kawainui pond, once a large inland pond.

The pond belonged to the alii. Hauwahine was the goddess (moʻo) of this pond, as well as of Paeo pond, (Site 277 Laie, Koolauloa), where she stayed only when leaves and other refuse (amoʻo) covered that pond. At other times she departed to Kailua. The old Hawaiians at Kailua, however, insist that she never left Kawainui

McAllister
Arch. of Oahu
(Sterling & Summers, p. 230)

Here were found the finest fat mullet on this side of the island. Here also, Haumea, the goddess dwelt with the fish attracting wood, Makalei.

The road cuts through a part of the pond.

The awa fish at this pond were so tame that they were easily caught. The fish did not like persons with strong smelling skins (ili awa) and kept away from them. Otherwise they swam right up to a person in the water.

Alona, Mrs. Charles
Informant, Sept. 28, 1939
Kailua-Waimanalo
(Sterling & Summers, p. 230)

Kawainui

“Many Waters.” A large fresh water pond in Kailua, and famous for the oopu kuia and for having once possessed the famous fish log Makalei. The oopu kuia was a large fat mud fish, caught by many people joining hands and dancing in its waters to stir up mud, when the fish would run their heads up against the people, and so were caught. The fishes would cluster very thickly against particular individuals while leaving many others untouched, when, of course, he or she, would make a good haul and fill up his calabashes rapidly. This gave rise to the common saying of the olden times, “he ili ona ia” – “attractive skin.”

Dictionary of Hawaiian Localities
Saturday Press
Oct. 6, 1883
(Sterling & Summers, p. 230)

Kawainui Pond – Hauwahine

Wahineomaʻo saw two beautiful women sitting on the bank of the stream near Kawainui pond and remarked to Hiiaka, “See those beautiful women?” “Those are not real women, but lizards,” replied Hiiaka. Beacuase of Wahinemaʻo’s disbelief she said, “I will chant and if they remain where they are, then they are human, but if they vanish, they are lizards.”

Then she chanted:

Kailua is like hair tousled by the Malanai wind,
The leaves of the uki are flattened down,
You are startled as though by the voice of a bird.
You think they are human
But they are not.
That is Hau-wahine and her companion,
The supernatural women of peaceful Kailua.

When the lizard-women heard her voice, they glanced at each other as if startled and disappeared. “Now I see,” said Wahinema’o, “those are truly lizard women.” Hiiaka explained, “One, Hau-wahine belongs up here in Ka-wai-nui and is its guardian. The second belongs to the hala grove on the level place close to the stream of Kaʻele-pulu. When she returns from up here the leaves of the hala trees there turn yellow. The leaves of the uki grass and the bullrushes in the water turn yellow too. This is the sign of the presence of a lizard (moʻo). The plants round about take a yellowish hue.”

Hiiakaikapoliopele
Ka Naʻi Aupuni, Jan. 22, 1906
(Similar story in “Hiiakaikapoliopele” Hoku o Hawaii Dec. 29., 1925)
(Sterling & Summers, p. 231)

Sterling, E. P. & Summers, C. C. (1978). Sites of Oahu. Bishop Museum Press.

Edible Mud of Kawainui by Kapalaiʻula de Silva

“Samuel Kamakau writes that the lepo ‘ai of Kawainui was said to have been brought from the Pillars of Kahiki by Kauluakalana, a famous voyager who traveled extensively between the Pacific islands and its peoples.  He explains that this dirt is one and the same as ‘alaea, the ocherous earth used traditionally in medicines, dyes, and as a mineral additive to salt.  Lahilahi Webb, however, states that lepo ‘ai was completely unique unto Kawainui.  She describes it as thick and jelly-like, similar in texture to haupia.  Webb also notes that there was a kapu observed when gathering this resource.  “No one was allowed to utter a word while the diver was in the pond getting it.  If a word was spoken, ordinary mud rose up around the diver and covered him so that he died.  There was no escape” (de Silva, 2013).

de Silva, K. (2013) Edible Mud of Kawainui.

Retrieved from: https://apps.ksbe.edu/kaiwakiloumoku/node/594

For more information about Kawainui, see the following:

KONAHUANUI
(“Large fat innards”)

The tallest peak of the Koʻolau Mountain range. (3,150 feet high) above the Nuʻuanu Pali, Oʻahu. In one story a giant threw his great testicles (kona hua nui) at a woman whom he desired, but escaped him. His genitals then became the peak of Kōnāhuanui. Today the pronunciation is Konahua-nui.

Pūkuʻi, Elbert, & Moʻokini. Place Names of Hawaiʻi. 1974, 2004. University of Hawaiʻi Press.

MAHINUI
(“great strength”)

A mountain, fishpond and stream at Mōkapu, Oʻahu. Name of a legendary hero defeated by Olomana. His body was cast from Olomana to its present location near Kalāheo.

Clark, John. Hawaiʻi Place Names. 2002. University of Hawaiʻi Press.

Pūkuʻi, Elbert, & Moʻokini. Place Names of Hawaiʻi. 1974, 2004. University of Hawaiʻi Press.

MAUNAWILI

He mele kēia o ke aloha no Maunawili
Ua hoʻokamaʻāina au i kou nani
ʻO ka noe i ka wailele i ka piʻina
O ka lā ʻālohilohi i ka wai o uka
Mākaʻikaʻi nō kāua i ka ulu hau
Hōʻolu i ka poli, hōʻoni i ke kahawai
Kū haʻaheo i luna ʻo ke Koʻolau
E hoʻi kāua e pili i ka uka o Maunawili Ua kamaʻāina au i kou nani

This is a mele of love for Maunawili
Where I have grown accustomed to your beauty
The waterfall is misty as the sunrise
Sparkles in the upland water.
We journey through hau grove
And cool our hearts, stirring the mountain stream
Koʻolau stands above
Let us be close once more in the uplands of Maunawili For I have grown accustomed to her beauty.

“Ka Uʻi o Maunawili,” words and music by David Kaʻio with Dwayne Kaulia (Hawaiian language), 1990. (Saffery, 2009, p. 87)

Saffery, M. (2009). Ka Uʻi o Maunawili. In Kailua. (pp. 87-91). Kailua Historical Society.

Ka Uʻi o Maunawili: An Essay by Kīhei de Silva (de Silva, 1990)

de Silva, K. (2017). Ka Uʻi o Maunawili.

Retrieved from: http://www.hikaalani.website/uploads/3/4/9/7/34977599/ka_ui_o_maunawili_for_hweb.pdf

For more information on Maunawili, see the following moʻolelo:

MŌKAPU

(“mō” short for “moku” as in “moku kapu” restricted island/district) This area was kapu, restricted because Kamehameha would meet his chiefs here. Point on the most Kāneʻohe side of Kailua bay that resembles a honu, turtle. The first man is also said to have been created here by Kāne and Kanaloa on the eastern part of Mololani at Mōkapu. Kāne drew the image of a human in the soil, with a body, head, arms and feet just like themselves as gods. Kanaloa then told Kāne that he did not have enough power on his own to bring the human to life. Kāne then appealed to Kū and Lono for help. Kāne then called the man to live, Kū and Lono did as well, and then the soil became a living man.

Pūkuʻi, Elbert, & Moʻokini. Place Names of Hawaiʻi. 1974, 2004. University of Hawaiʻi Press.

Kamākau, Moolelo o Hawaii. Chap 1.

OLOMANA

Olomana: Olomana (“forked hill”) is a beautiful mountain in Kailua, which is very distinct for its three peaks, Olomana, Pākuʻi and Ahiki. Ahiki is the peak closest to Waimānalo. Olomana is the peak closed to Kailua, and Pākuʻi is the middle peak.  

Alona, Charles. (Sterling, E.P. & Summers C. C.) Sites of Oʻahu, pg. 234. 1978. The Bishop Museum Press.

Pūkuʻi, Elbert, & Moʻokini. Place Names of Hawaiʻi. 1974, 2004. University of Hawaiʻi Press.

Hiehie Olomana: An Essay by Kīhei de Silva (de Silva, 2011)

de Silva, K. (2017). Hiehie Olomana.

Retrieved from: http://www.hikaalani.website/uploads/3/4/9/7/34977599/hiehie_olomana_for_hweb.pdf

For more information about Olomana see the following moʻolelo:

PIKOAKEA

Spring found just below Awāwaloa. “The piko, the source of clean pure water that feeds the streams”

(Piliāmoʻo as cited in Saffery, 2009, p. 45)

Saffery, M. (2009). Pikoakea. In Kailua. (pp. 44-49). Kailua Historical Society.

ULUMAWAO
(“growth at the forest”)

A peak in Kailua near Kawainui.

Pūkuʻi, Elbert, & Moʻokini. Place Names of Hawaiʻi. 1974, 2004. University of Hawaiʻi Press.

ULUPŌ

Ancient heiau and now a historic site near Kai-lua, Oʻahu; a large open platform was sometimes attributed to Menehune. Lit., night inspiration.

Pūkuʻi, Elbert, & Moʻokini. Place Names of Hawaiʻi. 1974, 2004. University of Hawaiʻi Press.

For more information about Ulupō, see:

Compiled by Danielle Espiritu, Education Specialist

Brief Timeline

Click To Download PDF

Prior to 1778 – Kailua planted primarily in kalo long before Western contact.

1831-1832 – 760 residents in Kailua. (353 males, 275 females, 61 boys, 71 girls)

1835 – 762 living in Kailua.

1846 – 749 living in Kailua.

December 1846 – Tax assessment (Kingdom of Hawaiʻi) lists 71 ʻili ʻāina in the ahupuaʻa of Kailua.

1848 – The Mahele. The ʻili ʻāina of Kawailoa in Kailua was claimed for the Crown (Kamehameha III). The remaining land was available for chiefs, land managers, and commoners.

“The Land Board received a total of 203 kuleana claims for lands in Kailua. Of these, 114 were awarded; 89 were not awarded, for a variety of reasons…The land records describe, for the 114 claims awarded, 176 actived cultivated parcels (presumably, dryland), 441 active taro pondfields (wetland), and 87 houselots. Among the 89 unawarded claims, there were 140 parcels in active cultivation, 238 taro pondfields being tended, and 61 houselots. At the time initial claims were submitted for both awarded and unawarded lands, Kailua is described as having 316 parcels in active cultivation, 679 pondfields beign tended, and 148 houselots occupied by one or more individuals”.

(Silva, 2009, p. 12)

1849 – William Jarrett purchases 670 acres in the ʻili of Maunawili, becoming the 1st private land owner in upper Maunawili Valley.

1852 – Large numbers of Chinese migrate to Hawai‘i to work on sugar plantations. Rice cultivation begins.

1855 – Henry H. Sawyer purchases 1,242 acres (all kuleana in the ʻili of Maunawili, including Jarrett’s land, as well as land in the ʻili of ʻŌmaʻo). This land becomes known as “Maunawili Ranch”.

1859 – Approx. ¼ of 255 taxpayers in Kailua were actively farming wet or dry-land kalo.

Mid-1860s – Lands leased for rice cultivation. **Likely the same lands used previously for kalo. (Tax rolls)

1865 – Cotton growing in Manulele.

1869 – Maria Hio Adams Boyd purchases Henry Sawyer’s land, 400 cattle & 14 horses.

1870 – Hakaleleponi Kapākūhaili Kalama (Kamehameha III’s royal consort) passes & her uncle, Charles Kanaʻina, inherits her land holdings in Kailua.

May 1, 1871 – Kanaʻina sells Kailua assets to Charles Coffin Harris. (Approx. $22,450)

1875 – Maria Adams Boyd and husband Edwin Harbottle Boyd own 700 cattle.

1875 – Taxes assessed for a rice mill belonging to Aho, a Chinese planter.

1875 – “…there were already ʻlarge herds of cattle and horses’”. (Brennan & Drogot, 2009, p. 182)

1876 – Reciprocity Treaty signed with U.S. Beneficial to the export of rice and sugar.

1876 – Rice mill established by Aho in Kailua. (He had 32.45 acres in possession)

1880 – At least 7 rice growers identified in Kailua.

The early 1880s – At least 10 Chinese rice growers listed in the ahupuaʻa of Kailua. (Tax assessor’s records)

July 11, 1892 – Nannie Roberta Harris Brewer Rice (daughter of Charles Harris) receives a Royal Patent for nearly 12,000 acres of land in Kailua after filing a certificate of boundary. (May 26, 1892)

1893 – Illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom.

1893 – The Boyd family sells Maunawili Ranch (approx. 1,200 acres) to William G. And Fannie Irwin. Cattle is a well-established industry. Irwin becomes the major landowner in upper Maunawili.
Irwin partnered with Claus Spreckels to control the processing of over ½ of Hawaiʻi’s sugar, including Waimanalo Sugar Company. (Which Irwin controlled after 1885).

 “Maunawili Ranch was located just over the Aniani Nui Ridge from Waimānalo adn the Waimanalo Sugar Company mill. The sugar cane in Waimānalo needed water, and Irwin was largely responsible for diverting water via a ditch system from Maunawili to Waimānalo”.

(Brennan, 2009, p. 60)

“Soil- and cement-lined ditches, flumes, and tunnels were developed in 1893 by W. G. Irwin to deliver water to Waimanalo Sugar Company. Today, the State maintains the ditch system for the benefit of Waimānalo farmers. (Piliāmoʻo)”.

(Brennan & Allen, 2009, p. 69)

1893-1896 – Irwin purchases additional lands in Kailua, including land in teh ʻili of Kīhuluhulu, Kaʻimi ʻAinoni, Puakea, Kaʻelepulu, Puanea, and Kalaekoa.

1895 – 10 acres of Irwin’s estate in Maunawili cleared and planted w/almost 7,000 coffee trees.

Late 1800s – Ranching enterprises, 1,000s of acres in Kailua appear on Tax Assessors records.

1908 – Over 100 acres of Irwin’s estate planted with coffee w/the mill on his Maunawili estate.

1910 – Maunawili Ranch sold to C. Brewer & Company.

1910 – Arthur Rice & Harold Castle start the earliest dairy lands in coastal Kailua.

1916 – Housing development begins in Kailua.

April 2, 1917 – Nannie Rice sells lands in Kailua to Harold K. Castle.

1924 – Castle begins his 1st housing tract along N. Kalāhea Avenue. (Named after Queen Kalama)

1924 – Campos family comes to Kailua and goes on to run larges & longest operating dairy in Kailua.

Late 1920s – Most land formerly used for rice paddies becomes pastureland.

1936 – Kalama subdivision parceled 186 lots. ($1,500 – $2,000 each)

1940 – Population of Kailua – 1,500 people.

1941 – Maunawili ranch sold by Brewer to Kaneohe Ranch. During WWII, it was used for military training.

1950 – Population of Kailua – 7,740 people.

1950s – Territory of Hawaiʻi declares Ulupō heiau as a Protected Site.

End of 1950s – Population of Kailua – over 25,000 people.

1960s – Hālaualolo heiau (near Palapū and ʻŌmaʻo streams) destroyed during development of Maunawili Estates subdivision. Water rechanneled to accommodatenew homes and roads.

1962 – Ulupō heiau designated as a State Monument.

(Silva, 2009, p. 7-17; Brennan, 2009, p. 55-71; Brennan & Allen, 2009, p. 85; Drigot, 2009, p. 102; Drigot, 2009, p. 151; Brennan & Drigot, 2009, p. 182-196)

Nakuina, M. K. (1990). The Wind Gourd of Laʻamaomao. Kalamakū Press: Honolulu.
**Translated by: Esther T. Mookini and Sarah Nākoa

Compiled by Danielle Espiritu, Education Specialist

Māhele ʻĀina (Land Divisions)

Mokupuni (Island):
Oʻahu

Moku (District):
Koʻolaupoko

Ahupuaʻa:
Kailua

ʻIli ʻĀina:

  • Anoni
  • Alalapapa
  • Alawai
  • Auloa
  • Haimilo/Pehialii/Moopilau
  • Hapakapa
  • Hiwapoo
  • Hualea
  • Kaakepa
  • Kaakepa
  • Kaalelekamani
  • Kaanokama
  • Kaelepulu
  • Kahanaiki
  • Kahoa
  • Kahoa
  • Kaioa
  • Kaipolia
  • Kalaekoa
  • Kalaiaoa
  • Kaluaikoa
  • Kamakalepo
  • Kamakalepo
  • Kamakalepo
  • Kamakalepo
  • Kanahau
  • Kaoha
  • Kaohia
  • Kaohia
  • Kaohia
  • Kapalai*
  • Kapaloa
  • Kapia
  • Kaulu
  • Kaulu
  • Kawailoa
  • Kawailoa
  • Kawainui
  • Keahupuaa
  • Kahupuaanui
  • Keolu
  • Kihuluhulu
  • Kionaole
  • Kionaole
  • Kuailima
  • Kuapuaa
  • Kuapuaa
  • Kuapuaa
  • Kuapuaa
  • Kukanono
  • Kukuimoemoe/Kuinamu/Hakala
  • Kupaka
  • Makakepa
  • Makali
  • Makalii
  • Makawao
  • Malamalama
  • Mani
  • Maunawili
  • Mokulua
  • Namu
  • Ohuauli
  • Omao
  • Oneawa
  • Oneawa
  • Oneawa
  • Oneawa
  • Oneawa
  • Paalae
  • Palalupe
  • Palalupe
  • Palalupe
  • Palapu
  • Papaloa
  • Papaloa
  • Papaloa
  • Pohakea
  • Pohakea
  • Pohakea
  • Pohakupu
  • Pohakupu
  • Pohakupu
  • Pohakupu
  • Pohakupu
  • Pohakupu
  • Pooakea
  • Puakea
  • Puheke
  • Puukae
  • Uolulu
  • Waeopihi
  • Waipaakiki

*Kapalai is the name of the ʻili ʻāina where Hoʻokuaʻāina is located.

Visit the AVAKONOHIKI website to see more maps of Koʻolaupoko.

Visit the Kipuka Database for more information on Oʻahu, Koʻolaupoko, and the ʻili found in Kailua.

Kamakakūokaʻāina. Koʻolaupoko. AVAKONOHIKI: Ancestral Visions of ʻĀina. http://www.avakonohiki.org/maps-koolaupoko.html

Kipuka Database. (2016). Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Retrieved from: http://kipukadatabase.com/kipuka/Ahupuaa.html?ObjectID=554&b=2

Compiled by Danielle Espiritu, Education Specialist

Meet Benji

“ʻAʻohe hana nui ke alu ʻia.”

No task is too big when done together by all.

Benji clearing the area for the new patch

Aloha e nā poʻe ʻo Hawaiʻi! My inoa is Benji Ah Sing and I hope this message finds you well. For the past two years, I have had the privilege of being an intern here at Hoʻokuaʻāina. To my recent delight, Iʻve also been honored with the promotion to co-farm manager entailing new kuleana and a greater sense of management skills. My time here with our organization has aided in molding the kāne that I am on my way to becoming.

As a graduate of Kamehameha Schools Class of 2014 I pursued a collegiate degree in clinical psychology at Point Loma Nazarene University. Upon the completion of my degree I returned home to the moku of Oʻahu in hopes of becoming a contributing community member with a passion for our island culture and a strong back! My strengths at this time of completing school made me an excellent candidate to hana within the Department of Education. Admittedly I felt my calling outside the walls of what would be considered normal education.

The idea of community-based education with an emphasis on ʻike Hawaiʻi was/is something that strikes me as very intriguing. Modern times are ever-changing but Hawaiʻiʻs kānaka stands firm with the steadfast goals of truly living a sustainable lifestyle and passing on those positive habits to the generations that come after our time. Hoʻokuaʻāina has allowed me the opportunity to experience a full effort of community members that hui together in an attempt to eat from the ʻāina beneath our feet and more importantly share that ʻike with people of all sorts.

Due to our likeminded goals it is inevitable that we as hui members have created lifelong pilina with each other. There always seems to be a natural succession of when it is time for people to come and go. And as these times unfurl we humbly celebrate memories of the past together and kakoʻo the next phase of life someone is entering into. Together we help each other grow. Together we help one another through difficulties. Together we holomua. United by the the notion that no matter where life takes us kokua will always be at the forefront of our mission here at Hoʻokuaʻāina.

Meet Keʻalohilani

Aloha! I am Keʻalohilani and I am from Kapaʻakea in Mōʻiliʻili. In the summer of 2017, I participated in a sustainability, project management internship that focused on various projects, and one of them was the Board and Stone Project. That summer I learned how to make papa and pohaku kuʻi ʻai. I also recall a single day where I worked in a cubicle for 8 hours and I told myself I could never do that again. I saw my friend Maile doing an internship with an organization called Hoʻokuaʻāina, and it piqued my interest because I wanted to learn more about kalo and loʻi since me and my grandma made a board and stone. She also mentioned something about it changing her life a little, so I thought I’d apply. Oh–and I can’t leave out that I left Oʻahu to play volleyball in Memphis 5,000 miles away, and my spirit needed some refueling. 

My first summer working here in 2018 was a transitioning mode for me. I was transferring back home to attend Chaminade, having an internal and cultural battle of whether or not to study Business, and deciding if I was going to walk away from a nine-year relationship…with volleyball (hahaha but seriously).

Fast forward a year and a half, I am still at the loʻi thanks to the timing and welcoming crew that have allowed me to grow with Hoʻokuaʻāina.  I now have a new chapter being written every single day, and I seriously am so grateful for my support system, my new brothers and sisters, and a little proud of myself for trusting my naʻau and taking a leap of faith by doing something new and saying aloha to a sport that gave me so much.

In my time here at the loʻi, I was able to strengthen and embrace parts of myself that I either didn’t know existed or simply took for granted. I have nothing to complain of in my life, but something Kapalai and the mud does for me is heal and allow me to strengthen my spiritual connection that really was brought out in those moments of working in silence.

In recent months, I am constantly humbled and learning to have grace, as I am exposed to a variety of people and backgrounds, especially those of our Hawaiian community. Growing up and finding out that not everyone did “Hawaiian things” was a huge shock for me. Now that I am older, working at Hoʻokuaʻāina has forced me to reflect on my upbringing, and realize these “Hawaiian things” and practices, mindsets, values that I was brought up with–are not normal anymore (not to say there’s one set way.) My lifelong goal is to serve my community, especially my Hawaiian people, and Hoʻokuaʻāina has opened my eyes to individuals and families whose values and cultures have been erased and absent for years upon years. It’s a living nightmare for sure, but my experience so far at Kapalai has helped to crystallize my why and goals in life. Currently, I am studying Business at Chaminade, and plan to utilize my entrepreneurial and business endeavors to flip the script and benefit our people and communities. I may not see the fruits of our labor in my lifetime, but I do it for my kupuna who fought for my existence, and therefore do it for those unborn babies that I will never meet. 

Mele Wai

Drawing By Makana Wilhelm

Lā, ʻŌpua, Lā

Lā, ʻŌpua, Ua, ʻŌpua, Lā

Lā, ʻŌpua, Ua, Kuahiwi, Ua ʻŌpua, Lā

Lā, ʻŌpua, Ua, Kuahiwi, Wailele, Kuahiwi, Ua ʻŌpua, Lā

Lā, ʻŌpua, Ua, Kuahiwi, Wailele, Kahawai, Wailele, Kuahiwi, Ua ʻŌpua, Lā

Lā, ʻŌpua, Ua, Kuahiwi, Wailele, Kahawai, Punawai, Kahawai, Wailele, Kuahiwi, Ua ʻŌpua, Lā

Lā, ʻŌpua, Ua, Kuahiwi, Wailele, Kahawai, Punawai, Inu wai, Kahawai, Wailele, Kuahiwi, Ua ʻŌpua, Lā

Hoʻokuaʻāina has not written and does not have the rights to this mele.

Vocabulary

  • : Sun
  • ʻŌpua: Puffy, billowy cloud
  • Ua: Rain
  • Kuahiwi: Mountain
  • Wailele: Waterfall
  • Kahawai: Stream
  • Punawai: Fresh water spring
  • Inu wai: To drink water

Moʻolelo: Moe Kaoo I Ka Ai Lepo

“Details of Frank Pahia’s 1890 sketch map of Kawainui, showing Maunawili Stream emptying into the big pond. (Kaneohe Ranch Co.)” As cited in: de Silva, K. (2009). Ka Mākālei a Kawainui. In Kailua. (pp. 51). Kailua Historical Society.

Moe Kaoo I Ka Ai Lepo
Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Volume XI, Number 43, 26 October 1872

Summary

This article comes from Ka Nupepa Kuokoa and was published on October 26, 1872. In it, the author, J. B. Keliikanakaole, recounts a story of Bernice Pauahi Bishop and Miriam Likelike Cleghorn as they journey from Hanakamalaelae, Heʻeia to the fishpond at Kawainui, Kailua, Oʻahu to taste the lepo ʻai ʻia (edible mud) found there. 

Sources

Inquiry Questions

  1. What do you think this lepo ʻai ʻia was? Why would it be so significant that the aliʻi Pauahi and Likelike both made the journey from Heʻeia to try it? 
  2. What does this moʻolelo tell us about the health of Kawainui and of Kailua at the time? Where are we in comparison?
  3. Do you think there is still lepo ʻai ʻia in Kawainui fishpond today? Why or why not? 
  4. What can we do to bring this lepo ʻai ʻia (and other sources of food) back so that they can be eaten by future generations?
  5. What life lessons might we learn from this moʻolelo? How might it connect with our ʻōlelo noʻeau?

Vocabulary

  • Lepo ʻai ʻia: Edible mud found in the fishpond of Kawainui in Kailua, Koʻolaupoko
  • Lepo: Mud, dirt, soil, earth
  • ʻAi: To eat; food; taro
  • Aliʻi:Royalty
  • Huakaʻi: To journey, travel
  • Pāʻina: To eat, share a meal

Inoa ʻĀina (Wind, Rain, & Place Names)

  • Hanakamalaelae: An area in the ahupuaʻa of Heʻeia where Bernice Pauahi Bishop would sometime reside
  • Heeia: An ahupuaʻa between Kāneʻohe and Kahaluʻu in the district of Koʻolaupoko, Oʻahu
  • Kaneohe: An ahupuaʻa between Kailua and Heʻeia in the district of Koʻolaupoko, Oʻahu
  • (Ka Loko o) Kawainui: Name of a fishpond in Kailua where the lepo ʻai ʻia was found, currently referred to as “Kawainui Marsh”
  • Kailua: An ahupuaʻa between Kāneʻohe and Waimānalo in the district of Koʻolaupoko, Oʻahu

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Hookuaaina Rebuilding Lives From The Ground Up

Hoʻokuaʻāina is located in the ahupuaʻa of Kailua at Kapalai in Maunawili on the island of Oʻahu. Get Directions.

For more information about our programs or how you can get involved please contact us.

916E Auloa Rd.

Kailua, HI 96734

mail

P.O. Box 342146

Kailua, HI 96734

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Hookuaaina Rebuilding Lives From The Ground Up

Hoʻokuaʻāina is located in the ahupuaʻa of Kailua at Kapalai in Maunawili on the island of Oʻahu.

For more information about our programs or how you can get involved please contact us.

visit us

916E Auloa Rd.

Kailua, HI 96734

mail us

P.O. Box 342146

Kailua, HI 96734

email us

Reach Us At:

info@hookuaaina.org

follow us

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Hoʻokuaʻāina is a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization

© Hoʻokuaʻāina 2020 All Rights Reserved | Terms & Conditions | Privacy | Site By Created By Kaui

Hoʻokuaʻāina is a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization

© Hoʻokuaʻāina 2020 All Rights Reserved | Terms & Conditions | Privacy | Site By Created By Kaui

Hoʻokuaʻāina is a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization

© Hoʻokuaʻāina 2020 All Rights Reserved | Terms & Conditions | Privacy

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