Malanai

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

“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

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

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:

• Mākālei
• No Na wahi a na’Lii e makemake ai e noho ma ka wa kahiko ma ka Mokupuni o Oahu nei
• Kauluakalana
• Hikaʻalani

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:

• Mākālei

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:

• Mākālei
• Palila

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:

• Hikaʻalani / Kauluakalana: Ulupō
• Kauluakalana
• Ulupō Heiau Park Brochure
• Ulupō Heiau State Historic Site

Compiled by Danielle Espiritu, Education Specialist

Related To Kailua

• Edible Mud of Kawainui
• Mākālei
• No Ka ʻĪlio Moʻo
• No na wahi a na’Lii e makemake ai e noho i ka wa kahiko ma ka Mokupuni o Oahu Nei

Compiled by Danielle Espiritu, Education Specialist

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)

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