Geographical Sites of Hawai'i

Some Events for this Month

2010-01-16T21:21:00.000-08:00

See forwarded message below from Marilyn Leimomi Khan

Aloha kakahiaka,

Here is a list of events going on this weekend.

E Malama pono.

Aloha kakahiaka,

Here is a list of events going on this weekend.

E Malama pono.

From: Marilyn Leimomi Khan [mailto:mkhan@hawaiiantel.net]
Sent: Tuesday, January 05, 2010 4:27 PM
To: AHCC
Subject: January Significant Events of Interest to the AHCC and other Hawaiian Organizations - Please Read

Three significant events are being held during the month of January of interest to civic club members and other Hawaiian organizations:

- January 19, Tuesday, Tamarind Square, 11:00-1:00 p.m.: The Hawaii Pono'i Coalition is hosting a program marking the wrongful overthrow of Queen Lili'uokalani and the Annexation of Hawaii. The event will feature Mele 'Ai Pohaku by notable entertainers and educators. Watch for additional information as it becomes available.

- January 16 and 17, Saturday and Sunday: "Ho'okahi Lahui Hawai'i", Iolani Palace. The "Ho'okahi Lahui Hawai'i" event, being organized by Palani Vaughan, commemorates the 200th anniversary of the unification of the Kanaka Maoli people under one rule by King Kamehameha I in 1810. This two-day event is set for January 16 and 17, 2010, at Iolani Palace and brings together Hawaiian organizations. Some highlights:

- On Saturday, January 16th, registration for the Ho`okahi Lahui Hawai`i Makahiki competition will be from 8:15a.m. to 9a.m. The opening ceremonies will commence at 11:45a.m., at the main stage fronting the Coronation Pavilion. .

- On Sunday, January 17th, the Ho`okahi Lahui Hawai`i March led by a procession of torch bearers will start from Thomas Square and follow a route that will end at `Iolani Palace. Ceremonies will be held in front of Washington Place, at Queen Lili`uokalani’s statue, King Lunalilo’s site at Kawaiahao Church, with final ho`okupu and ceremony at King Kamehameha’s statue. Formal opening ceremonies will then commence once the procession arrives at the entry gate to `Iolani Palace. All Hawaiian organizations are invited to participate, including the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs.

- Throughout the two-day celebration, there will be live music, halau hula performances, exhibit/vendor tents. The Association plans to have an informational table to feature the work that the AHCC does. Clubs interested in exhibiting their activities may join the AHCC tent. Otherwise, if interested in your own space or in selling products please apply by submission of the vendor application, which must be received by the Hookahi Lahui by not later than January 8. Please inform Ike Kaaihue at ikepono@hotmail.com if interested in participating in the AHCC tent.

ADMISSION IS FREE. Ho`okahi Lahui Hawai`i T-Shirts will be available for purchase during the 2-day event.

For further details about the march, the vendor application form and policies and protocols, t-shirt orders, and updated information on events planned, please go to the Ho'okahi Lahui Hawai'i website at: www.hookahilahuihawaii.org

Leimomi

Ho`okahi Lahui Hawai`i
One Nation
1810 – 2010

The year 2010 marks the 200th anniversary of the unification of the Kanaka Maoli people under one rule by King Kamehameha I in 1810, after centuries of being divided into separate island chiefdoms. In honor of our founding father, Kamehameha the Great, an exciting Ho`okahi Lahui Hawai`i two-day event is set for January 16 & 17, 2010 on the grounds of `Iolani Palace.

Ho`okahi Lahui Hawai`i represents the inspiration to our Kanaka Maoli people to embrace the accomplishments of Kamehameha’s success in uniting our Hawaiian people under one nation. Despite the fateful events of January 17, 1893, when our beloved Queen Lili`uokalani and the Hawaiian Nation was unlawfully overthrown, our Kanaka Maoli people must heighten efforts to REUNITE as a people under one nation at this 200th unification anniversary.

Ho`okahi Lahui Hawai`i will pay tribute to Kamehameha the Great and all succeeding monarchs of Hawai`i with education, entertainment by many well-known local musicians, performances by hula halau, oli (chant), olelo (Hawaiian language), Hawaiian arts and craft displays, contests and lots of great ono food.

On Saturday, January 16th, registration for the Ho`okahi Lahui Hawai`i Makahiki competition will be from 8:15a.m. to 9a.m. The opening ceremonies will commence at 11:45a.m., at the main stage fronting the Coronation Pavilion. Winners of the Ho`okahi Lahui Hawai`i Essay/Poem Contest, as well as the Makahiki games will be announced and awards presented to the winners.

On Sunday, January 17th, the Ho`okahi Lahui Hawai`i March led by a procession of torch bearers will start from Thomas Square and follow a route that will end at `Iolani Palace. Ceremonies will be held in front of Washington Place, at Queen Lili`uokalani’s statue, King Lunalilo’s site at Kawaiahao Church, with final ho`okupu and ceremony at King Kamehameha’s statue. Formal opening ceremonies will then commence once the procession arrives at the entry gate to `Iolani Palace.

ADMISSION IS FREE. Ho`okahi Lahui Hawai`i T-Shirts will be available for purchase during the 2-day event. For more information about Ho`okahi Lahui Hawai`i contact: 392-3849, 741-7257 or 728-1046. Fax 808.623.4612

Content copyright 2009. Ho`okahi Lahui Hawai`i. All rights reserved.
HookahiLahuiHawaii.org • TheOneNation.info

- January 19, Waikiki Martin Luther King Day Parade, 9:00 a.m. For details, go to: http://mlk-hawaii.com/home/ You can find an application form there.

Papahana Kuaola

2010-01-16T13:06:00.000-08:00

Message received below from Mahi at Papahana Kuaola:

Aloha all!
Hau'oli Makahiki Hou and mahalo for your mana'o, sweat, and positive
energy in 2009!

Please join us for HO'ALE'ALE KAPUNA, a Hawaiian cultural series on na
mea Hawai'i

Saturday, January 23, 2010
8:00am - 3:00pm
Waipao, He‘eia, Ko‘olaupoko, O‘ahu

Tentative schedule:

8:00am-11:30am REFORESTATION prep & LO`I KALO construction

11:30am-12:30pm  LUNCH: bring something to eat; some food will be provided

12:30pm-3:00pm HAWAIIAN ENDANGERED PLANTS mo`olelo, uses, importance
Talk story session & tour of Hui Ku Maoli Ola native plant nursery
20% OFF native plants if you attend event and purchase on 1/23/10

WHAT TO BRING:  Gloves, refillable water bottle, lunch&snacks,
sunscreen, insect repellant, shoes/boots, good energy, and a smile;
optional (change of clothes, a towel)

LOCATION & PARKING:  Driving on Kahekili Hwy., turn mauka onto
Kahuhipa Street. Turn left onto Kuneki Street. Continue up Kuneki,
road will bend to the right, keep going to the end. Turn right onto
Ha’iku Road.
On your left, look for dirt driveway and park down there or along
upper Haiku Road, look for signage.
PLEASE DO NOT PARK IN THE RESIDENTIAL AREA...

Come when you can; leave when you have to...
RSVP for the 1/23 Ho'ale'ale Kapuna to mahilapierre@gmail.com by
Monday, January 18th. MAHALO!



FYI: Upcoming 2010 Community Days at Waipao

WAIPAO HANA-DAY  (4th Saturday) 2/27, 4/24, 6/26  (8am-12n)
HO'ALE'ALE KAPUNA  (4th Saturday) 3/27, 5/22  (8am-3pm)
contact Mahi: mahilapierre@gmail.com

HE'EIA STREAM RESTORATION  (3rd Saturday)
1/16, 2/20, 3/20, 4/17, 5/15, 6/19  (8am-12n)
contact Moani: heeiastreamrestoration@yahoo.com


Pass on this info. to your friends and family. If you know anyone who
wants to be
added to our community email list please have them email me at
mahilapierre@gmail.com. Also, if you want to be removed from our list
just let me know...

Mahalo... a hui hou!
Mahi



Papahana Kuaola’s mission is to create quality educational programs
focused on environmental restoration and economic sustainability fully
integrated with Hawaiian knowledge in order to exemplify a lifestyle
respectful of kanaka, ‘aina and akua.

Māhuahua ʻAi o Hoi

2010-01-16T12:50:00.000-08:00

FYI: See message below from Brad Wong of Māhuahua ʻAi o Hoi

Māhuahua ʻAi o Hoi

Aloha mai everyone, we will be having our next loʻi workday next Sunday January 17th. We will start at 8:30am and work till noon. Please bring some drinking water, and anything you need in case you get muddy. Feel free to email me for additional information. Let me know if you can attend.

Mahalo,
Brad Wong
Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi
372-6526

No website yet, but check us out on facebook. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mahuahua-Ai-o-Hoi/169776802865

Why Don't We Just Name a Whole Island after the President

2010-01-10T22:38:00.000-08:00

In response to people wanting to name Lana'i Lookout, Ala Moana Beach Park or other areas after President Barrack Obama, should we not instead be remembering and using the Hawaiian names originally given to these places. Many Hawaiian names have been lost or are not used today due to renaming by others.

In east Honolulu alone, there is Hawaii Kai(ser) for Maunalua, Portlock for Kawaihoa, Mariners Ridge for Kaluanui and the list goes on. If people are uncomfortable with the Hawaiian names, they should become more familiar with the Hawaiian language. Halona, Kahauloa or any other true Hawaiian name for the Lana'i lookout section of coastline just needs to be found and used again.

Hawaii is unique and we should retain this uniqueness by using Hawaiian names. Especially with the sensitivity of many kama'aina regarding Hawaii as being an actual state of the union. Historical facts are indicating that Hawaii was illegally annexed by the United States and the whole process of becoming a true state is suspect. Also, the ashes of many inspirational people have been laid to rest in the ocean. If it is so desired, consider maybe naming a building or some other man made object after the president but not Hawaii’s natural features, place names, locations or other objects that already carry Hawaiian names. To much has been changed already.

Back again!

2009-12-28T10:45:00.000-08:00

Aloha mai kakou,

E kala mai for the absence! It has been awhile since posting so back at it again. Anticipating regulars posts going into the new year.

The last few months have had some great events & achievements in the Maunalua region including record amounts of invasive algae having been removed by community groups and schools including Waldorfe School, Halau Hula O Kamamolikolehua & Hawaiian Air Lines, a great Lunalilo Home Ho'olaulea event, drumming to raise awareness about the plight of the heiau's and wahi pana in Maunalua and accross the Pae Aina o Hawai'i and many other things.

Community groups are continuing to strive and progress with efforts to improve and restore Maunalua Bay and the surrounding water sheds (Malama Maunalua), gain access & restore the last remaining fish ponds of this area (Maunalua Fish Pond Heritage Center) & establish a learning center for agriculture and sustainability in Kamilonui Valley (Aloha Aina O Kamilonui).

Posts regarding these and other community led efforts will start again immediately in addition to other items of interest from around the island of Oahu. Stay tuned!

Desecration at Hawea Heiau

2009-07-10T00:56:00.001-07:00

Hawea Heiau in Maunalua is being watched and guarded closely by the community at this time due to recent work done by a developer that has partially desecrated this wahi pana.

This type of careless action, disregard and stupidity by certain developers and land owners who have no regard for the culture of Hawai'i or it's sacred places seems to continue all for the sake of greed and money. To them, Hawai'i is nothing more than a commodity in which they can rake in there speculative dollars and run away with it back to the mainland or wherever they come from.

The people of Hawai'i obviously cannot rely on the agencies or bureaucracies to stay on top of these types of violations or stop it. Only a vigilant community can put an end to this type of sickening behavior.

Kapuna Spring & Haiku Stream

2009-07-10T00:35:00.000-07:00

Mahalo to Mahi La Pierre for showing us around lands mauka in Haiku on Monday, June 22. Pictures above from bottom to top are Haiku stream and Kapuna Spring. Kapuna spring is a spring where Kane and Kanaloa are said to have obtained their drinking water (Sites of Oahu - Sterling & Summers - pp 201).

Crystal clear fresh water still gushes from the ground near the spring in which you can reach down with cupped hands and still drink the water right from the ground. Air bubbles are visible in Kapuna spring in the top picture. No doubt, there were many springs like this in the Maunalua area in days gone by which have since been covered up by development.

Loko I'a o Kanewai

2009-07-10T00:11:00.000-07:00

Pictures above from bottom to top show 'auwai entrance to the Loko I'a o Kanewai (Kanewai Fish Pond) from Paiko Lagoon, makaha gate area at the mid-point of the 'auwai and 'auwai leading into Kanewai. The length of the 'auwai running between Paiko Lagoon and Kanewai pond I would guess is approx. 40 to 50 yards.

Native Plant Restoration at Paiko Lagoon

2009-07-09T23:55:00.000-07:00

Students & volunteers worked hard Saturday, June 20th at Paiko Wildlife Sanctuary under the supervision of the State Division of Forestry and Wildlife. Invasive non-native plants are being cleared from the area (above pictures) and native species are in turn being planted (below pictures). This is an on-going project and future work dates are planned.

$3.4 Million is Awarded for Maunalua Bay Project

2009-07-09T23:33:00.000-07:00

From Suzanne Case of The Nature Conservancy of Hawai'i (June 30, 2009):

It is with much excitement that I announce to you that TNC's proposed Maunalua Bay Reef Restoration project has been awarded $3.4 million by NOAA's Community-based Restoration Program under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (aka economic stimulus funding).

Through this 2-year award, this project will create an estimated 73 new full- and part-time jobs in Hawai‘i, removing the invasive alien algae Avrainvillea amadelpha (mud weed) as the critical first step towards restoring coral reef and seagrass habitat in Maunalua Bay. It is a distinct honor for TNC to have been requested locally to serve as the lead on this project, which we look forward to successful implementation on in partnership with Mālama Maunalua, TNC’s long-time local community conservation partner in the Bay.

The project is a scaling up of three years of volunteer efforts that have successfully removed more than 25 tons of invasive algae from Maunalua Bay. The cleared areas have remained free of algae, and there is growing evidence of the return of native species. This stimulus funding from NOAA will enable us to take this community effort to scale so we can begin to bring this once thriving bay back to life.

This award is one of several that have been made to the Conservancy for national coastal habitat restoration efforts that also create jobs. These successful TNC awards have been selected among intense national competition: over 800 proposals were submitted requesting three billion dollars in funding from only $170 million available.

This is a highly unusual project for The Nature Conservancy, as this funding does not go to support our current projects, but creates a new, direct, community-based project that TNC has agreed to manage. TNC will have one new staff person to oversee the project, and a minimal amount of the funding will cover TNC marine support and project administration. We welcome this opportunity because it is good for both the economy and the environment.

We believe that there is no better investment in our State than to improve the health of our near shore ocean, which is a source of food, recreation, and income for many. We consider this project to be among our highest priority conservation efforts over the next two years, and we are committed to see it through to its successful completion. Few conservation projects will ever receive the extraordinary level of national visibility and attention that this project will receive. Our commitment to this work reflects not only our belief in achieving lasting conservation impact through local partnerships with public support, but also the role of applied science in making management decisions and taking future conservation action. In particular, we are excited about the opportunity for this project to clearly demonstrate the direct connection between Hawai‘i’s economic and environmental health.

During the selection process, NOAA received over 800 proposals totaling more than $3 billion in requests for restoration funding, yet only $160 million in NOAA funding was available. The Nature Conservancy received funding for eight coastal restoration projects across the U.S., to restore and protect coral reefs, oyster reefs, seagrass beds, salt marshes, salmon streams, and floodplains. We are honored and humbled to be one of these projects, and would like to thank President Barack Obama, the Congress, the Hawai‘i congressional delegation, and NOAA for their support of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and for recognizing the importance and value of Hawaii’s reefs.

The writing and submission of this award proposal was a true team effort, with members from our marine and terrestrial teams, our financial management team, and our administrative leadership all contributing on what has been reported back to us by NOAA staff as among the very best proposals that were submitted nationally. I congratulate you all on this significant team achievement.

Sincerely,

Suzanne

Congratulations all volunteers, community members, residents and agencies involved!!! Without all your dedication and hard work over the last year, this would not have been possible.

Limu Huki for Pōʻalima, Iune 12

2009-06-20T00:21:00.000-07:00

Mahalo to Outrigger Canoe Club kids, Malama Maunalua members and community volunteers for all the great work last Friday (April 12)at Paiko. Approx. 3900 lbs of invasive alien algae (IAA) was pulled. Almost two tons! Maika'i loa!

Mahalo nui iā 'oukou no ko 'oukou kōkua.

Huki for Pōʻalima, Mei 15

2009-05-18T22:31:00.000-07:00

Mahalo to everyone who came out last Friday, May 15 to the huki at Paiko and for another successful day. We pulled 3751 lbs of IAA that day in just one hour.

Mahalo nui to the students and the teachers from Halau Ku Mana for visiting and for their kokua. Big mahalo's also to Russell Amimoto for talking story to the students and the group about the recent Hokulea voyage. Also, Brain Hauk and Rodolf Pan for talking about the plants and animals found at Paiko.

Huki for Pōʻaono, Mei 2

2009-05-18T22:21:00.000-07:00

Mahalo nui to all who came to the Saturday, May 2nd huki at Paiko Beach (see attached pics.). We had a great day and pulled approx. 3560 lbs of IAA. Also, loaded on top of that was another approx. 700 lbs pulled by Paiko resident Kini Gleason in days prior to our Sat pull.. Big mahalo to Kini. It is great to see Paiko residents involved since we are working right near there homes. We wish and hope for as many residents as possible to be involved with our work especially the ones right near where we are pulling.

Ho'oulu ʻĀina

2009-04-19T15:11:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I spent the morning at Kalihi Valley Nature Preserve to kokua with the spreading of limu into some of there plots. Gorilla ogo and mudweed (3nd Pic. from top) was spread over the rows and than dug into the soil (top Pic. below). Kalihi Valley Nature Preserve is pioneering the use of Avrainvillea and is having success. I learned that when they incorporate avrainvillea into their compost piles, they layer it with shredded tree trimmings and it takes about 6 to maybe 9 months to completely decompose. Yesterday, we dug fresh avrainvillea & gorilla ogo right into the plots for the first time without it being composted prior to. That's how confident they are about the use of avrainvillea as nourishment for the lepo in addition to other composting materials. I am experimenting with the composting of avrainvillea in a small garden plot also in Kamiloiki (bottom Pic. below) and will keep you posted as to how it goes.

We also spent time weeding and hiking around the preserve.

For those of you have been involved in the pulling of invasive alien algae from Maunalua Bay and than watching it go bye-bye to places unknown. Now, you can see the whole mauka - makai connection by seeing that what we have been viewing as rubbish only, is not rubbish. It is a valuable resource that can be used to enrich the land and grow food, flowers, native plants & trees. Solomon Enos is a great teacher and they are doing great things in Kalihi. They are a great model to learn from and follow in ahupua'a land management. They hope that their Nature Preserve can serve as a template for other communities to learn from and incorporate into their own ahupua'a.

Huki for Pōʻakolu, ʻApelila 8th

2009-04-13T23:18:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday's huki rendered 2266 lbs of invasive alien algae - plus some because I think the scales are still of by about 5%. Per Marion, we pulled this amount in only 1.75 hours which included having the trucks loaded and ready to go. Our efficiency is really improving.

To date, we have cleared 10,355 square feet of invasive alien algae from our plot at Paiko Beach or just 1% shy of a quarter acre (see pics). This is a great accomplishment by all the volunteers and something to be proud of.

Kalihi Valley Nature Park

2009-04-13T22:51:00.000-07:00

Big mahalo to all volunteers who made it out for the March 24th huki. We finished with about 2700 lbs. of invasive alien algae (IAA) plus some. Maika'i loa! YOU GUYS ARE DA BEST!!!

In the afternoon, the IAA was transported to Kalihi Valley Nature Park where we had a great meeting with Puni, Casey and Solomon in Kalihi Valley (see attached pictures). What they are doing at Kalihi Valley Nature Park is truly amazing. We can all learn from what they are accomplishing and the awareness they are creating in us all to malama ka 'aina. Looking forward to having them come and visit us in Maunalua soon.

By the way, they have been successful at composting Avrainvillea and re-introducing it to the 'aina to nourish the lepo, grow kalo, 'uala and other plants. Very encouraging and hopefully this can be passed on to other farmers and plant nurseries for further evaluation to see if it might be helpful to them.

Pa'ipa'i i ke kahawai o Wailupe

2009-03-17T22:56:00.000-07:00

The traditional Hawaiian fishing method of pa'ipa'i was used in Wailupe stream on Sunday, March 14 to corral fish. The goal was to try to determine what types of fish are living in the stream.

Wailupe is one of the last streams in East Honolulu that has not been channelized with concrete.

About a dozen community members waded up the stream to just ma uka of Kalanianaole Hwy. to pa'ipa'i the water ma kai down to the boards and net being used to corral the fish.

Manuel Mejia of the Nature Conservancy and Division of Aquatic Recourses personnel were there to facilitate scientific analysis of the fish.

Some conclusions trying to be drawn include:

1) Are there native fish?
2) What are the alien fish eating?
3) What life stages are they in?
4) Are eradication programs necessary?
5) Are there positive ramifications of alien fish?

The days before Sunday included much rain and the water was running fairly strongly on that day from ma uka to ma kai.

Baby ʻamaʻama (stripped mullet), uouoa (sharp nose mullet), kanda mullet and āholehole (bottom picture) were caught in addition to one tadpole. Talapia were seen in the water, but none were caught.

Many baby mullet (pua) were seen swimming approx. 20 yards in front of the pa'ipa'i crew; however, most were very elusive and were able to evade the pa'ipa'i crew, corral and net. Some of the small fish were not positively identified.

Another pa'ipa'i attempt may be made in the summer under different conditions including dryer weather preceeding pa'ipa'i and different tidal conditions.

Todayʻs Huki Tally

2009-03-05T21:43:00.000-08:00

98 bags of invasive algae were pulled today at Paiko by 20 of us in about 1 1/2 hours for a total of 3076 lbs. Right on, gang!

Mahalo nui to all who were able to make it out and to TNC & DAR crews for their usual great support. Mahalo also to Kalihi Valley Nature Park for allowing algae to be dumped there.

Old Mākāhā adjacent to Paiko Lagoon

2009-03-01T12:25:00.000-08:00

There are remnants of an old mākāhā at the base of Paiko Lagoon where the lagoon meets the ma kai side or start of Kuliʻouʻou Road. You can see an indentation in the old wall there and the gaps or groves in the wall where the mākāhā gate used to slide up and down.

At this time, on the opposite side of the wall, it is all filled and is ground and grassy area adjacent to the Kuliʻouʻou Kai condominium. It would be interesting to know if Kulioʻouʻou stream originally fed into this location or if there were adjacent fish stocking ponds adjacent to Paiko Lagoon in the old days. Carved into the wall is the date May 6, 1934.

Mahalo to Chris Cramer for pointing this out.

Native Plant Restoration at Paiko Lagoon

2009-03-01T11:50:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, Feb 28th, community members & volunteers came out to Paiko Lagoon & Wildlife Sanctuary to remove invasive pickle weed (ʻakulikulikai) and to plant native coastal plants adjacent to the lagoon.

Native ʻAkulikuli (a succulent type coastal plant), naupaka kahakai, Pōhinahina, Nehe, 'Ilima, Naio, 'Ohai, Maiapilo & Pāʻū o Hiʻiaka were some of the types of native plants that were re-introduced to the area.

There are some nice areas of Pōhuehue vines (Beach Morning-Glory) growing on the adjacent beach area. Pōhuehue vines were used to drive fish into nets. Also, roots, stems & leaves were used as a medicine but could be poisonous in large quantities (Hawaiian Dictionay - Pukui/Elbert). The ʻAkiʻaki grass (Seashore Rush Grass) is also abundant in this area. ʻAkiʻaki is a coarse grass that grows on sandy beach type areas and was used to exorcise spirits (Hawaiian Dictionay - Pukui/Elbert).

Big mahalo to The Nature Conservancy, Mālama Hawaiʻi, International Year of the Reef (IYOR) & The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA) for organizing & funding the event including purchasing of plants & tools. Also, the State Division of Forestry crew who came out to support the effort and the growing of the plants by Hui Kū Maoli Ola.

Limu Huki for Pōʻaono, February 21st

2009-02-24T22:40:00.000-08:00

Last Saturdayʻs huki total was 2136 lbs of invasive algae removed from the flats off Paiko beach.

Not bad for a skeleton crew ranging from approx. 10 to 12 people only and for pulling for only about 1 1/2 hours. The first hour we did some limu monitoring work. Was kind of cold out there yesterday. I can understand why some folks may have been stuck under the covers at home.

Big mahalo to those of you came out and braved the cold. Also, special mahalo to Donna Lipman & Dennis Handa for their kokua in logistics and setting up since TNC & DAR crews were not available for yestedays huki.

Ongoing Paiko Restoration Efforts

2009-02-06T19:20:00.000-08:00

There was a shift in focus today at Paiko Beach. Training session was conducted by experts in phycology from UH Manoa & kupuna who came out to educate and guide the communities restoration efforts off the beach.

Special mahalo to Kanekoa Kukea Shultz, Kim Peyton & others who instructed group on limu monitoring and planting methods. Also, big mahalo to Uncle Henry for traveling all the way from Ewa Beach to visit, talk story and share some of his manaʻo & wisdom of the sea, limu & things Hawaiian.

More ʻuala

2009-02-06T19:13:00.001-08:00

My ʻuala is growing well. Compare pictures above with pictures posted to this blog on November 17. These are the same vines. Hoping to harvest around May or June.

Seaweed Huki Tally for Pōʻahā, Ianuali 22

2009-02-04T23:12:00.000-08:00

Aloha e Mālama Maunalua Gang,

Sorry on being late with this post. Thursday, January 22ndʻs pull registered for a grand total of 3713 lbs. Not bad at all. Much mahalo as usual to everyone who made it out that day and for all your hard work.

Per Tegan, evidently are scales have been off by about 5 lbs. Alyssa confirmed that they have been reflecting actually 5 lbs less than actual weight. So therefore, the previous huki earlier this month on Jan 8th was actually 4049 lbs instead of the previously reported 3429 lbs.

Anybody want to go back and recalculate for last years pulls?

Federal Grant to Help Maunalua Bay Project

2009-01-09T23:51:00.000-08:00

See article in todayʻs Honolulu Advertiser regarding federal grant money to go towards Hawaiʻi reefs including the largest grant to be awarded to the University of Hawaii for work to be done in Maunalua Bay. Also, funds for Molokaʻi invasive algae removal work. Click on link below:

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200990107054

Seaweed Huki for Po'ahā, Ianuali 8, 2009

2009-01-08T20:59:00.000-08:00

Today's seaweed huki tally was approx. 3500 lbs.

It was a great way to start off the new year with our first pull for 2009. Mahalo nui to all volunteers who came out to lend their kokua. Also, big mahalo to TNC crew for their usual great support. Lastly, special mahalo to the crew from the Aquatic Invasive Species Division of the State Aquatic Resources Dept. for their help and bringing equipment and boats to use for today's pull.

The day started with cleaning-up previously cleared plots where we pulled out bits & pieces of invasive algae missed previously. It has been over a month since are last pull and the plots remain nice and clear. Small areas of certain types of native limu was noted in the cleared areas also.

Many baby mullet were noted in the areas that have been cleared. The pua or baby mullet (which I believe is the false type mullet or uouoa) are common to see in this area; however, today they were especially abundant in the cleared areas and were often seen jumping probably due to larger predatory fish chasing them. By seeing this, it already seems that our work is having a positive impact in the bay.

The pull tally would have been greater today if we went straight to the invasive seaweed and didn't clean the previous plots, but I think it is good that every so often we go back and clean previously cleared areas of the small stuff which is hard to see on the first sweep through.

The Holoʻuha Wind

2009-01-02T23:13:00.000-08:00

The Holoʻuha wind is a wind that chills the back of the legs when fishing in Maunalua Bay in the area of Kuliʻouʻou, Niu & Wailupe. Holoʻuha is specifically the wind of Kekaha which is an old place name for Wailupe and the general area from Kupikipikiʻo to Kawaihoa.

In the "Moʻolelo of Hiʻiakaikapoliopele", the Holoʻuha wind is mentioned in and associated with a fateful incantation that Hiʻiaka cast upon a couple of fishing women that she encountered in Kuliʻouʻou who would not share a portion of their catch with her. Consequently, these fisher women died because of their selfishness.

Next time you feel a cold wind against your bare legs in the waters off Kuliʻouʻou, it may be the Holoʻuha wind.

Waikele Stream & Waipio Peninsula

2008-12-13T17:17:00.000-08:00

I drove over the bridge in Waipahu yesterday and had a chance to glance ma uka out my passengerʻs side window and look down into Waikele stream.

Waikele means "muddy waters" and the water in the stream was very dark and muddy indeed after all the recent heavy rains. Sides of the steep stream beds were also eroding away and I saw an intact section of concrete steps, a section of chain link fence and some other things that had fallen down to the lower banks of the stream with the erosion. I wish I was able to stop and get a picture.

Waikele stream cuts through the center of Waipahu Cultural Park and enters into Pearl Harborʻs West Lock on the west side of Waipio Peninsula. Directly opposite on the east side of Waipio Peninsula was once a large fish pond called "Loko Eo". This fish pond is now coved by Ted Makalena golf course. Just south of this area on Waipio Peninsula is the large Waipio Soccer Complex that has been put here in more recent years. The soccer complex (288 acres) covers what was once another large fish pond called "Loko Hanaloa" which was 195 acres in size before it was filled in.

Waikele is the former name of Waipahu (Waipahu is in the ahupuaʻa of Waikele). The area between West Lock and Loko Eo was terraced throughout, continuing for more than a mile up into Waikele Stream. The lower terraces were fed with water from a famous spring at "Waipahu" which means"exploding water" (Native Planters of Old Hawaii, pp. 470 - 472). Waipahu was the name of the spring that was located near where the former Oʻahu Sugar Mill stands in Waipahu town.

Take a moment and pause to remember what was once in this area beneath your feet next time you travel through the old sugar plantation town of Waipahu or play golf or soccer on Waipio Peninsula.

Konahuanui

2008-12-13T16:01:00.000-08:00

"Beautiful is (Mt) Konahuanui towering above Nuʻuanu Valley, a gourd holding dew, the mountain often has a mantle of cloud" (Native Planters of Old Hawaii" pp. 222).

So it did at the very peak of the mountain when I took the top picture a couple of days ago from Maunawili Valley. A couple hours later though, the peak had cleared (bottom picture).

Mount Konahuanui is the upper most elevation of nā ahupua'a of Kailua & Nuʻuanu. It is the highest peak in the Koʻolau mountains and the second highest peak on Oahu after Mount Kaʻala in the Waiʻanae mountains.

There is a famous legend about a moʻo that lived in a pool on Konahuanui peak. A hairless dog had been killed and was being taken to the kona side of the island through the Nuʻuanu Pali as a tribute to the aliʻi nui and to be eaten.

At the foot of the Pali in the hala groves of Kekele, the moʻo of Konahuanui called out Pehea lā, ke kaʻahele nei ʻoe? ("So, you are travelling?"). The killed and dismembered dog in the ʻumeke (calabash) called out ʻAe (yes). The carriers were so terrified that they dropped the calabash and fled. The hairless dog emerged alive from the laulau in the calabash and trotted up Mt. Konahuanui to meet the moʻo.

Consequently, no hairless dogs were ever eaten again (Native Planters of Old Hawaii" pp. 247-248).

Ahupuaʻa o Kahaluʻu

2008-12-01T22:14:00.000-08:00

Kahaluʻu stream is fed by Ahuimanu, Waiola & Kalohaka streams further inland. Due to the topography of Kahaluʻu, the loʻi of this ahupuaʻa were not continuous, but were tucked away in pockets that were fed by these streams. Wet land and dry land type taro were grown in this area.

The seaward low elevation flat lands of the ahupuaʻa of Kahaluʻu and the two adjacent ahupuaʻa of Waiheʻe & Kaʻalaea to the northeast made up one of the largest wet land taro growing areas along the Koʻolau (windward) coast of Oahu (Native Planters of Old Hawaiʻi - p. 454).

Ahuimanu stream is shown in the top picture. I took this picture about 100 yards upstream (ma uka) from where Ahuimanu steam is joined by Waiola stream.

The other two pictures show a nice stand of ʻOhe (bamboo) which was growing on an embankment above the stream. ʻOhe in traditional Hawaiʻi was used for many things including being made into musical pipes, rattles, fire blowing tubes, water containers & stamps for marking tapa.

The water of this stream on this day was crystal clear and the plants growing on the edges of the stream were indeed uluwehiwehi loa.

Lā Kūʻokoʻa

2008-11-30T11:45:00.000-08:00

Friday, November 28th was Independance Day for Hawaiʻi. Click here to read and learn more.

Limu Huki for Pōʻaono Nowemapa 29, 2008

2008-11-29T15:35:00.000-08:00

Approx. 4500 lbs of invasive algae were pulled today from the reef flats at Paiko Beach. Mahalo nui to the 20 something volunteers who came out to lend their kōkua. Also, nui nui mahalo to all who contributed food & drinks, supplies, equipment & algae disposal means to make this another successful pull.

Hauʻoli Lā Hoʻomaikaʻi

2008-11-27T12:25:00.000-08:00

I smoked my 23 lb turkey over Kiawe & Guava wood for about 10 hours yesterday so I can relax today. I had some help from Abby (black lab) and Kimo (golden retriever). Yup, believe it or not, his name is Kimo too! Itʻs a long story!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

State Observes First Makahiki Commemoration Day

2008-11-22T06:09:00.000-08:00

From the State Majority Caucus - Hawaiʻi State Senate Majority Leaders Office

Day focuses on peace, abundance, unity and conservation.

Today (Thursday, November 20th) marks the first official State observance of Makahiki Commemoration Day, which was designated for recognition by the 2008 Hawai‘i State Legislature. It is not a state holiday.

“Makahiki was a significant time throughout Polynesia,” said Senator J. Kalani English, the principal introducer of the bill that established Makahiki Commemoration Day. “Conflict and war were set aside for the four-month Makahiki season, and unity and peace prevailed. They also let the land lay fallow as they celebrated the harvest.”

To perpetuate the ancient wisdom of land conservation, abundance, unity and peace during the four months of Makahiki, Polynesian regional governments celebrate the Makahiki season and have designated November 20th as the start of the Makahiki observance. With today’s fist official observance of Makahiki Commemoration Day, Hawai‘i joins that group.

“This brings us closer to our land, our culture, and our brothers and sisters across Polynesia,” said English. “I hope everyone will take a moment today and reflect on all of our interconnections.”

Click on link below:

http://www.hawaiisenatemajority.com/2008/11/20/state-observes-first-makahiki-commemoration-day/

Just a Thought about Agriculture in Maunalua - ʻUala

2008-11-17T17:48:00.000-08:00

There was much more sweet potato (ʻuala) farming in the ahupua'a of Maunalua in ancient Hawai'i, and little or no kalo production due to the dryer environment of Maunalua. If an inland or ma uka type Hawaiian cultural & agricultural learning center were to be located somewhere in Maunalua in the future for the education of our keiki, community members and others, wouldn't it be befitting to have a focus or concentration on a crop that has much historical significance to this area such as ʻuala (see keiki ʻuala piko vines in pictures above).

Other wetter type ahupua'a in the islands revolve there activities & learning around kalo rightly so if that was a known location for kalo in the past and the environment is suitable for kalo growing. Maunalua could be a very unique and different learning place with the emphasis on ʻuala cultivation in which the valleys of Maunalua were once known for.

ʻUala was the second most abundant starch in the diet of the people of Hawai'i after kalo. There is rightly so, much emphasis on kalo today for many reasons including the religious & spiritual reasons which I will not go into in this post. The point being made here is that a place to learn about ʻuala cultivation and it's importance in old Hawai'i as an emphasis and in addition to other Hawaiian cultural and agricultural topics would be ideal in Maunalua. ʻUala cultivation is much less common to see and hear about as compared to kalo throughout the islands. Maunalua could play an important part in making ʻuala visible again in front of the community and in also developing a greater appreciation among many more of us for this important & culturally significant food item of old.

Although, Maunalua has been exposed to over-development of housing in recent years, there are still lands available where a learning center & possible community kitchen could be located that could allow for teaching of Hawaiian culture, cultivation & agricultural methods, proper ahupua'a based land usage & management, community gatherings and farmers open markets for the existing farmers and agricultural businesses in our community.

Maybe this is just the concept that will assist in keeping agriculture in our community for the long haul, bring the community closer together and help keep our last remaining pockets of rural Hawai'i alive and well in Maunalua.

Click here to learn more.

Read This!

2008-11-11T21:15:00.001-08:00

Nice article was written in this last Sunday's Honolulu Advertiser newspaper about Kalauha'eha'e fish pond in Niu. Go to article.

Travels of the ʻAmaʻama & Awa

2008-11-11T20:07:00.000-08:00

Kuapā fish pond (Keahupua o Maunalua) is the largest fish pond of the kuapā type in Hawaiʻi. Kuapā is a fish pond separated only by a wall built on the reef. Kuapā type fish ponds were more common than the Puʻuone type fish ponds discussed in a previous post. Puʻuone type fish ponds were near shore; however, separated by a section or strip of land from the ocean or body of water. Not just by a wall.

Kuapā fish pond was said to be connected to Kaʻelepulu fish pond in Kailua on the Koʻolau side of Oʻahu. ʻAmaʻama and awa were known to travel between these two ponds on the opposite sides of the Koʻolau mountain range via an underground tunnel.

When the ʻamaʻama fish disappeared from Kuapā pond they appeared in Kaʻelepulu pond. At the same time, the awa fish disappeared from Kaʻelepule and appeared in Kuapā. When the ʻamaʻama reappeared in Kuapā, the awa would disappear.

This same observation was made in more recent years by some of the Japanese fisherman who leased Kuapā pond. McAllister, Archeology of Oʻahu

Invasive Algae Huki for Pōʻalua - ʻOkakopa 28

2008-10-30T09:33:00.000-07:00

Aloha kākou,

Todayʻs tally was 4213 lbs of invasive algae pulled off Paiko Beach. Mahalo nui to all of the combined Mālama Maunalua and Nature Conservancy Crew for their good work.

The cleared plots are growing larger with each pull. We are only approx. 10 feet away from an area of native sea grass (Halophila hawaiiana) which is endemic to Hawaii. It will be interesting to monitor the cleared areas as we get closer to and meet the sea grass beds and see if the sea grass starts to take hold in the clearings.

Big mahalo to Glenn Nii and the Nii family for allowing us to drop pulled avrainvillea at their plant nursery in Kamilonui Valley (bottom picture). Also, big mahalo to Mark & Brooke Loughridge for allowing us to use one of their kayaks.

Similarities Between Lokoea & Kanewai Fish Ponds

2008-10-26T18:16:00.000-07:00

Lokoea fish pond is an ancient fish pond with a rich history. Lokoea is located just north of Hale'iwa town on the north shore of Oʻahu just a little ways to the Kahuku side once you pass over the old Anahulu River bridge which is a famous landmark in Haleʻiwa.

Lokoea is a fish pond of the Puʻuone type. Kanewai fish pond in Kuliʻouʻou is also of the Puʻuone type. The Puʻuone type fishponds are rare on Oʻahu. Puʻuone can mean "divination" or "pond near the shore".

A Puʻuone type pond is described of as a type of pond that is located near the shore. It's fresh water originates from streams or underground springs. Lokoea receives its water from an upwelling of springwater near Kawailoa which fed an adjacent fish pond called ʻUkoʻa. The water from ʻUkoʻa than flows into Lokoea. Kanewai receives it fresh water from underground springs that flow into the pond from Kuliʻouʻou Valley and Kuliʻouʻou ridge mauka of Kanewai.

These brackish water ponds are connected to the ocean by ʻauwai kai or salt water ditches. The ʻauwai of Lokoea is connected directly to the ocean and this ʻauwai extends beneath Kamehameha highway today where it connects to Waialua Bay. The ʻauwai of Kanewai is connected to Paiko Lagoon which inturn is connected to Maunalua Bay by an inlet in which I am guessing is approximately 50 feet wide.

The fresh water flow to both of these ponds has been reduced in more recent years by the diversion of water. In Lokoea's case, by Waialua Sugar Company when the land above Haleʻiwa was in sugar cane production. Kanewai fish ponds fresh water flow has been reduced by the widening of Kalanianaʻole Highway a few years back just as the neighboring Kalauhaeʻhae fish ponds fresh water flow has in Niu.

Invasive Algae Huki for Pōʻaono - ʻOkakopa 11

2008-10-13T22:33:00.000-07:00

Big mahalo to all Malama Maunalua volunteers who came out on Saturday to pull invasive algae at Paiko Beach. Grand total pulled was 6335 lbs (give or take a few lbs). Over 3 tons......Amazing job by everyone!!!

Nui nui mahalo also to our regular Nature Conservancy Crew of Marion, Russell, Koa, Manuel, Janice & Pauline for all their support and in arranging this event. Also, big mahalo to Eric Co for getting us started on the whole seaweed removal project several months back and for his continuing support.

It was an honor to have the Nature Conservancy board members come out and visit us. Mahalo nui to all TNC board members for their hard work weighing and loading bags of algae on to the truck during their visit.

Mahalo to Kevin Mulkern for use of his companies truck and Holy Trinity School & Church for providing parking for Saturdays event. Mahalo to all who supplied food & drink during the day.

ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi at the Beach

2008-09-28T13:42:00.000-07:00

Not language lessons in anyway, but 1 hour informal talk-story sessions in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi at Kuliʻouʻou Beach Park on Sunday mornings. Topics would be open and free flowing. Just a group of friends talking story in a circle on beach chairs under a tree or at a picnic table. This would be for novices and fluent speakers alike. The individual intent for novices being to use Hawaiian regularly and become comfortable using it so that fluency can be obtained. For fluent speakers, to have others to speak Hawaiian with and to mentor novice speakers with your knowledge. The wider intent being to hear Hawaiian spoken more often in the public places of Hawaiʻi.

The only rule being that Hawaiian is spoken as much as possible and English is kept to a minimum. More fluent speakers can help novices express words in Hawaiian as necessary. Itʻs all for fun and for using ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi as it should be used in Hawaii nei.

No shame for novices, myself being one. Just come and speak the best you can. Thatʻs how we all get better at speaking and listening. It is preferred that some Hawaiian language basic skills and usage be known. Many of us have this but lack people to speak to regularly. Another intent of this endeavor is to help fill that void.

Hawaiian language usage should expand more widely above and beyond the schools and mānaleo speaking communities of Hawaii. There should be informal groups accessible to all who want to use Hawaiian language in every ahupuaʻa and district of Hawaii. With that being said, wouldnʻt spoken Hawaiian spread throughout our communities and be common and vibrant again as it was pre-1900ʻs. What do you think? Please post a comment or email your thoughts or interest in participating.

Holomua ka ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi i ka lehulehu!

Seaweed Huki Tally for Pōʻalima, Kepakemapa 26

2008-09-28T12:12:00.000-07:00

Fridayʻs seaweed pull tally was 2905 lbs. Mahalo nui to all from Mālama Maunalua & The Nature Conservancy who participated.

I believe the invasive algae that has been smothering out the native Hawaiian types of limu such as the nasty mudweed (avrainvillea) that we are pulling out is not deserving of being called "limu". So I call it "seaweed" and save the word "limu" for the maikaʻi native types of limu of Hawaiʻi.

If you look at the two bottom pictures, you can see the borders of where we have removed invasive seaweed and where it is still growing (top left corner of Pic. 1 & middle of picture in Pic. 2).

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Aloha nō e Leighton

2008-09-14T11:28:00.000-07:00

Bradda Leighton was reunited with the ocean yesterday off Maunalua for the first since his prolonged illness over the last 4 years after suffering from a diving accident. Family and many friends were at Maunalua Beach Park to celebrate his life.

As a well know waterman, Leighton Look was remembered for his many talents including being an expert paddler and steersman, founder and coach of Hui Lanakila Canoe Club, expert carpenter, canoe builder and paddle maker, commercial fisherman, UH Manoa civil engineering graduate, Kalani High School football team linebacker in the early 1970's and many other things.

Leighton and his younger brother and my good friend Les helped me put in a nice big driveway at my folks house in Niu several years back. They also hosted many crazy parties including the biggest New Years eve parties with more fireworks than one could imagine. Leighton always would let my kids have as much fireworks as they wanted after their supply ran out. He always had coolers full of them. He would dive and fish days in advance of the parties and have the best food available with every imaginable seafood on the table.

Leighton will be really missed by his family, the paddling community & all the gang from Niu Valley who knew him since small kid time.

Aloha nō e Leighon a hui hou kākou i ka palekaiko o ko kākou Hakulani.

Yesterday's Limu Huki Tally

2008-09-10T10:06:00.000-07:00

2000 lbs of invasive algae were removed from the reef flat in front of Paiko yesterday. Big mahalo to all the volunteers for your kokua and big mahalo to the gang from The Nature Conservancy for your on-going support of this effort.

Ke Kuahiwi o Hawaii Loa

2008-09-08T22:41:00.001-07:00

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Hawaii Loa ridge between the Ahupua'a o Niu and the Ahupua'a of Wailupe still displays many native plant species from the original native Hawaiʻi dryland type forests which once covered much of the land in this area.

Koa (pic. 3), Maile (pic. 5), ʻIlima (pic. 7), ʻŌhiʻa Lehua (pic. 6), Lama, Naupaka Kuahiwi (pic. 4) & ʻIliahi or Sandalwood (pic. 1 & 2) are just some of the native plants & trees that can still be found here.

The Sandalwood trade, the introduction of foreign plants and trees and the introduction of cattle in the 1800's changed the landscape to a drastic extent. For example, the Kiawe tree which was prevalent in the valleys and lower hills of this area before homes were built was brought in to Hawaiʻi. It was quickly spread all over the place by the cattle which ate the Kiawe beans. The amount of invasive guava on the ridge is alarming as it is in many other areas.

The park and trail head on Hawaii Loa ridge is now at a place in which we once as kids called the dust bowls. The dust bowls were giant eroded out areas of red dirt. The dust bowls were our final destination as kids after hiking up the ridge from the highway and up through where all those million dollar homes are now, or up the side of the ridge where the gorge is above Niu Valley Intermediate School and tennis courts.

In those days Pheasant could be seen flying from the bushes and wild dogs were in the mountains and deep in the valleys which made it quite spooky wondering if you would ever run into them while hiking. Our weapons of choice were pellet and BB guns to defend ourselves and shoot at stuff. I never ran into the wild dogs; however, my family saw them on occasion from a distance in the Niu Valley school grounds and adjacent hills in the 1950ʻs and early 1960ʻs. I did see large dog foot prints in the dust bowls periodically though. Also, the dogs would dig into the deep piles of ironwood needles and make dens for the pups. We saw these ironwood needle dens often in the dust bowls and surrounding areas of the mountain.

There was no trail than behind the dust bowls as there is today that leads up to the top of the Koʻolau mountains (top picture) where you can look over to the windward side of the island to Waimanalo & Kailua.
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Limu Huki

2008-09-01T10:53:00.000-07:00

Another nice harvest of invasive algae was completed on Friday, August 29 by members of Mālama Maunalua and with the support of The Nature Conservancy.

Approx. 3540 lbs of invasive algae were pulled from the reef in front of the Kuliouʻou/Paiko area. Cleared areas are slowly growing bigger; however, the work is only in the beginning stages.

We load bags of seaweed on the Kayak and push it to shore where we unload the bags, than wheel barrow it to the road and load it on trucks. The work is labor intensive but we always have lots of fun. Maybe at some point, we can get the Seaweed Super Sucker back on the reef and use that again to see how it compares to hand pulling.

Avrainvillea amadalpha (mud weed), Gracilaria saliconia (gorilla ogo) and Acanthophora spicifera (prickly seaweed) are especially thick types of invasive algae in this area. After the removal of the invasive algae, the goal is to restock this area with native limu like "Limu Manauea" and other native species in which many areas in Maunalua Bay were once famous for.

Kalauhaʻehaʻe

2008-09-01T10:31:00.000-07:00

Kalauhaʻehaʻe also called Lucas Spring is located in the Ahupuaʻa o Niu (above). It is a historic site and a wahi pana. The Maunalua Fish Pond Heritage Center, the community and the University of Hawaii at Mānoa are actively working together at this time to preserve this site.

The goal besides saving the site is to restore it to its original pristine quality as a fish pond and to use it for cultural and educational purposes through the University of Hawaiiʻs Hawaiian Studies Department.

Much of the fresh water flow to the stream was cut off during the widening of Kalanianaʻole Highway approx. 10 years ago. Upon restoring the below ground fresh water flow from the mauka side of the highway, the pond could become productive again.

Also, it would also create a vast improvement in the adjacent Maunalua Bay area where efforts are ongoing by Mālama Maunalua. Data collection, fish monitoring, invasive algae removal and other community projects administered by Mālama Maunalua are underway to stop degradation and restore the pristine quality of the bay.

Ka Lae o ka ʻŌʻio

2008-08-28T00:35:00.000-07:00

Ka Lae o ka ʻŌʻio is the point that extends out into the ocean as you round the turn on Kamehameha highway at the end of Kualoa and enter the beginning of Kaʻaʻawa (as you head towards Kahuku -top picture above).

Ka Lae o ka ʻŌʻio not only separates nā ahupuaʻa of Kualoa and Kaʻaʻawa. It also separates nā moku (districts) of Koʻolaupoko and Koʻolauloa.

Kanehoalani hill or ridge directly above Ka Lae o ka ʻŌʻio is steeped in legend (bottom picture). The famous burial cave of aliʻi called Pohukaina located in this ridge is said to have once had many entrances and extend through out the Koʻolau mountains.

There was also a spring above Ka Lae o ka ʻŌʻio called Kaʻahuʻula. Kaʻahuʻula spring was reportedly destroyed by the US army during WWII when a gun site was built above and earth and rock from the gun site area covered the spring. The gun site can be seen to this day.

I am not positive as to the exact meaning of Ka Lae o ka ʻŌʻio except that with the kahakō over ʻŌʻio it means "The Point of the Bone Fish". Without the kahakō over ʻOʻio, ʻOʻio means "procession of ghosts of a departed chief and his company" per the Pukui/Elbert "Hawaiian Dictionary". I have seen it labeled in some texts as "The Point of the Bone Fish"; however, if you read about Pohukaina Cave and Kanehoalani ridge above, possibly "The Point of the Departed Chief" would be accurate also?

Hawea Heiau

2008-08-24T18:40:00.000-07:00

Hawea heiau is located at the foot of Kaluanui Ridge (Mariners ridge) in the ahupuaʻa o Maunalua.

Remnants of the ancient site are where the coconut grove is located (see pictures above). This grove is near marshy land. Water holes in this area once provided fresh water when it rained to people living or passing through the area. Also, in ancient times there was a spring in this area called Waiakaʻaia which provided fresh water (History of Hawaii Kai & Maunalua - pg 34).

According to Levi Chamberland, a missionary who traveled through the Maunalua area in the early 1800ʻs, there was a village near where the Hawaii Kai Recreation Center is located now. This village according to him was called Keawaʻawa.

He counted nearly 100 huts in this area in which my guess would be that they were a combination of hale pili (thatched huts) and pāpaʻi lawaiʻa (fishermens huts). The inhabitants were mostly kānaka lawaiʻa (fishing people).

Nā Manu Kamaʻāina

2008-08-18T22:53:00.000-07:00

Just a couple of pictures shot today while returning from a job on the Koʻolau side of Oʻahu. I stopped to shop in Kailua at a place near the Hamakua wetlands. Saw an ʻAlae ʻUla (Common Moorhen - bottom) and an ʻAukuʻu (Black-Crowned Night-Heron - top) at close range. The Hamakua wetlands are a good place to view wetland type birds native to Hawaii.

The ʻAukuʻu is often seen in Maunalua in the canals behind Kuapa pond. I have not seen the ʻAlae ʻUla in Maunalua though. Often the Aeʻo (Hawaiian Stilt) is seen in Maunalua around the pond areas and also in Kamiloiki Park.

The Hamakua wetlands are very much like what the wetlands of Maunalua and Kūapa pond looked like before Hawaii Kai was developed (below).

If you have not already noticed, the Kōlea (Golden Plover) has returned within the last couple of weeks. Also, the ʻŪlili (Wandering Tattler) should be returning also at this time. You can often see ʻŪlili around Kuliʻouʻou Beach Park (on the beach) and around the Paiko Lagoon area.

ʻOama Season

2008-08-11T23:41:00.001-07:00

No work scheduled for today (or actually had work but never did any). Went fishing instead...
So it is for me! I take little mini-vacations when I can since I usually don't take long ones.

Went ʻoama fishing at my favorite ʻoama fishing spot at Waiʻalae Beach (above). After catching about a couple dozen went home for a break. Than went to spot near Makapuʻu late in the day to see if there were any pāpio to be had. ʻAʻohe! Used about have my bait. Took the rest home. Will fry um tomorrow for snack. Hopefully, will have time to catch more ʻoama in a few days and try again for pāpio somewhere else.

Pu'u o Hulu

2008-08-10T16:18:00.000-07:00

If you listen to Hawaiian songs you often will hear place names mentioned in the mele.

The Waiʻanae coast has many majestic and beautiful ridges extending from the Waiʻanae mountain range towards the sea. Take note of the beauty of these ridges next time you drive or visit the Waiʻanae coast.

One of these ridges is called "Puʻu o Hulu" (pictures above & below). This is the ridge near the sea that separates Nānākuli and Māʻili.

This ridge is mentioned in the well known paniolo mele called "Kaula ʻIli". This song consists of two versus with the lyrics of the second verse being more often heard. The second verse starts with " "Hoʻomākaukau kou kaula ʻili".

The third line in the lesser heard first verse goes "Eia aʻe ʻo Puʻuohulu" which says "Puʻuohulu hill draws near".

Take note of the beauty of this hill next time driving Farrington highway between Nānākuli & Māʻili and the "hill is drawing near".

New Web Sites

2008-08-08T00:39:00.000-07:00

Congradulations to Mālama Maunalua, Maunalua Fish Pond Heritage Center & Hui Maunalua in the launching of there new web-sites (shown below) which are now up and running. Please be sure to check them out!

These organizations are surely among those at the forefront of bringing the community of Maunalua and adjacent ahupuaʻa together in preserving the past and in working towards the future for the betterment of our community and local environment.

Mālama Maunalua: www.malamamaunalua.org
Maunalua Fish Pond Heritage Center: www.maunaluafishpondheritage.com
Hui Maunalua: www.maunalua.net

Keahupua o Maunalua

2008-08-03T13:01:00.000-07:00

"Keahupua o Maunalua" is the original name for Kuapā Pond in the ahupuaʻa o Maunalua.

In old Hawaii, the Keahupua o Maunalua was "kapu" for most makaʻāinana (commoners) to enter or take fish from. The penalty for violating this kapu would be death. Kuapā pond in its original state (which of course has been transformed into what is called Koko marina more recently) was a fine example of Hawaiian engineering and construction.

Approximately where Kalanianaʻole highway is located now and extending along the makai side of Maunalua is where the makai side pond wall stood. The top of the wall was very narrow (only a few feet) as compared to the amount of fill land that separates the ocean and marina today.

The wall extended from the east edge of Kuliouʻou to mauka of Kawaihoa (Portlock) and was fitted with several mākāhā (sluice gates) to regulate the fresh and salt water flow into and out of the pond. This original pond wall probably stood for hundreds of years before it was demolished around 1960 when the development of what is now called by many Hawaii Kai started.

Keahupua o Maunalua at 523 acres was the largest or one of the largest fish ponds in Hawaii.

Ke Kula o Kamauwai

2008-06-18T23:58:00.000-07:00

In the old days the ahupuaʻa o Maunalua was famous for itʻs sweet potatos (ʻuala) in addition to itʻs fish (iʻa) from Kuapa Pond.

The ʻuala growing land that stretched from Kamiloiki to Kealakipapa was called "Ke Kula o Kamauwai". Beside growing on the plains/open lands (kula) of Maunalua, ʻuala were also grown in certain valleys (awāwa) such as Kamilonui.

The Hawaiians traded ʻuala from "ke kula o Kamauwai" with early English ships and with whaling ships that anchored offshore in Maunalua Bay during the late 1700ʻs to the mid-1800ʻs.

Outside Hawaii TV Show on OC 16

2008-05-28T21:31:00.000-07:00

Kudo's to Cal Hirai on his great work on segments about Mālama Maunalua Makai Watch in OUTSIDE HAWAIʻI shown on OC 16. This is a great show which is very entertaining and educational. It discusses many environmental issues and cultural topics which should be of great interest to us all (thanks goes to Mahi for sending the schedule out to us earlier!)

OC 16 OUTSIDE HAWAIʻI Schedule:

Monday @ 12 am, 11am, 9:30pm
Tuesday @ 2:30 pm
Friday @ 1:30 PM
Saturday @ 4am, 11:30 am
Sunday @ 6pm

Sending Out a Kāhea

2008-05-26T20:08:00.000-07:00

Sending out a call to all, if any one knows of any families or individuals who lived on Maunalua Pond or in the Ahupua'a o Maunalua prior to development of Hawaii Kai starting in the early 1960's, please reply to this post.

There is much interest to talk story with these individuals or families and document as much as possible of the old history of Maunalua. Kupuna who lived in this area with any knowledge or insights into the Ahupuaʻa o Maunalua and its history would be of great value to the community and community members who are working to restore and preserve the environmental health & cultural knowledge of this area.

Kaʻapuni Oʻahu

2008-05-26T19:30:00.000-07:00

Today, many hard working volunteers came to Maunalua Beach Park to kokua in pulling a large amount of invasive alien seaweed from the bay. Others picked up ʻōpala along the shoreline and in the boat ramp parking lot.

The event was in celebration of Hui Nalu Canoe Clubs 100th birthday and was called "Kaʻapuni Oʻahu" in which the canoe club paddled around the island of Oʻahu. Duke Kahanamoku who was born in 1890 was one of the founders of Hui Nalu in 1908 (he would have been 18 years of age) and was a classmate of one of my aunties (my grandmothers sister) at Kaʻahumanu School in the late 1890ʻs and early 1900ʻs.

As a side note, I knew Dukeʻs brother, Sarge Kahanamoku and his wife when I was in high school and I worked at the Niu Valley Shopping Center hardware store (called "Handyman") in the mid 1970ʻs. He would come in and ask for me when he needed assistance. I would sometimes deliver stuff out of the back of my old yellow Datsun pick-up truck to his townhouse in Maunalua when he lived on Spinnaker Isle on the marina. He was a super nice guy and would always give me a nice tip after delivering stuff to him.

Also included in the celebrations and in partnership with Hui Nalu Canoe Club, Mālama Maunalua and other groups in the community were environmental, cultural & educational awareness activities in conjunction with the "International Year of the Reef" campaign.

Community service projects on this Memorial Day weekend included working with "Paepae o Heʻeia" and their Heʻeia fish pond restoration project, "Nani o Waiʻanae" and their Nānākuli Beach clean up & finally today finishing up at Maunalua with "Mālama Maunalua" and their alien algae removal and beach clean up.

Hui Nalu canoes shuttled volunteers back & forth and brought in bag after bag of alien seaweed to be loaded into trucks, disposed of or used for mulch. According to Eric Co who spearheaded the alien algae removal effort, 3705 lbs of alien algae was removed or nearly a half acre was cleared of the invasive seaweed. Quite an accomplishment I would say!

Mahalo nui to all for all your good work.

Maunalua Talk Story with Uncle Fishy

2008-05-22T23:11:00.000-07:00

Mahalo nui to Tokio "Fishy" Jodoi and Annie Inouye for meeting with us this past Sunday at Kuliʻouʻou Beach Park to talk story about the Maunalua of days gone by.

Uncle Fishy is nearly 90 years young and told us about the old days of living in the ahupuaʻa of Maunalua. His parents had lease rights to Maunalua fish pond from 1915 to 1938 with a couple other families.

Uncle Fishy grew up working on the pond with his family. He had to restock the pond with baby ʻamaʻama (mullet) which they would catch in the bay outside of the pond in front of Maunalua, Kuliʻouʻou, Niu, Wailupe and Waialae. The would catch the ʻamaʻama with nets and raise the pua (baby fish) in the pond until market size and than sell them.

They could control water flow and fish entering the pond by operating several mākāhā (sluice gates) at the entrance to the pond. Other fish besides ʻamaʻama that would enter the pond included, ʻawaʻawa, āholehole, awa, pāpio and kākū.

Uncle Fishy told us of how he would study by kerosene lamp at night and they would have to get there drinking water from town.

He remembers being able to see the glow of the big volcanic eruptions on Hawaii island during the 1930ʻs from the Kalama Valley and Sandy Beach areas.

Uncle Fishyʻs family lived in a structure that was approx. 50 yards from where Hawaii Kai drive meets Kalanianaole Hwy now. To get to town and back home, you would have to cross the May Way bridge which was just a single lane wood bridge. This bridge, Uncle Fishy said was plenty sufficient in those days because you would only have maybe 3 or 4 cars per day travel the bumby coral rock road to come all the way out to Maunalua which was than considered the "sticksʻ or "boondocks".

More about Uncle Fishy later.

Ahupua'a o Maunalua - Kua'aina

2008-03-31T21:48:00.000-07:00

Maunalua still does have kua'aina which is back lands or country. Beautiful country and wild life (pua'a) are still here as seen on a recent afternoon visit.

We should strive to keep as much as possible (of what little is left) of the kua'aina o Maunalua. The area is still unique and should be preserved in the proper way for future generations through the application of the traditional Hawaiian ahupua'a land management system.

Traditional Hawaiian cultural practices and farming on this land would educate the surrounding Hawaii Kai community of things Hawaiian which is desperately needed in this area especially with the large amount of malihini who have moved to this area from the mainland and other countries more recently. A greater appreciation for the land and Maunalua Bay by all might result.

Keeping balance within the community by stopping future over-development and starting to re-create more traditional ways of managing the land would be paramount in maintaining the health of this community.

Ahupua'a o Maunalua - Pahua Heiau

2008-03-25T23:41:00.000-07:00

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is seeking organizations or persons interested in stewardship of Pahua Heiau in Maunalua. OHA can be contacted directly for information.

Pahua is most likely an agricultural heiau and is located at the foot of the ridge between Kamiloiki & Kamilonui Valleys. OHA owns this 1 acre lot in which the heiau is located. The heiau measures approx. 68 feet by 40 feet and consists of a rock terrace and several low walls. Pahua was partially restored in the mid-1980's.

Ahupua'a o Maunalua

2008-03-05T09:22:00.000-08:00

Last Wednesday a friend and I went to the top of Koko Crater via the old trolley car tracks that extend up the southwest side of the crater. The tracks are heavily used these days by hikers and fitness enthusiast. I remember watching the white trolley car go up and down the crater when I was a small kid in the 1960's.

I last went up to the top of Koko Head about 6 or 7 years ago and there was hardly anybody using the tracks at that time. As you may have seen on TV or in the news there is some controversy regarding the use of the tracks by hikers and others due to the close proximity of the rifle range. The rifle range is located in a smaller crater called Kahauloa Crater (see pictures 1, 2 & 3 below). Hanauma Bay and Koko Head (Kuamo'o o Kane or Mo'okua 0 Kaneapua) are in full view behind Kahauloa crater in Pic. 3.

Kohelepelepe is the Hawaiian name for Koko Crater. I believe the more common name of Koko Crater was inspired by the missionaries who did not like to use the name of Kohelepelepe for the crater because they did not like the meaning of the words. Read about the legends of Pele and Kamapua'a if you don't know or want to learn more. I am to hilahila to explain it.

Pic. 4 shows a small crater like island in Kuapa Pond (Koko Marina) which has water in the center of it. This island is a valuable sanctuary for native or indigenous wetland birds which I sometimes see in the marina or in grassy parks of Hawaii Kai after heavy rains.

Maunalua Bay at sunset is visible in Pic. 5.

1. 2. 3.

4. 5.

Lucas and Kuliwai Ponds - Ahupua'a of Niu & Kuliou'ou

2008-02-21T21:29:00.000-08:00

Believe it or not, there are two existing fish ponds in the Maunalua area that still exist and have not been filled in (yet!) like Wailupe and Kupapa (Niu Peninsula) fish ponds have or altered like Kuapa fish pond has.

On Tuesday, Feb. 19, a group of us were allowed to access a residential lot from Paiko Beach that is currently being held by the state. On this lot is a fish pond called Lucas Spring (see color pictures below). The pond has a house on post and piers that is partially built over it. The house I believe was condemned during highway widening several years ago. During the highway widening, it is believed that a substantial amount of the below ground fresh water flow to the pond was cut-off or blocked. Consequently, the amount of fresh water entering the spring has greatly diminished. The pond was very productive before with mullet, awa, aholehole and other fish that like brackish water. In one of the pictures below you can see a kahawai or makaha that is still there that once connected the pond to the ocean.

The black and white photo below shows the other pond in the area called Kuliwai (one old map called it Kanewai). This pond is land locked and surrounded by private property and residential lots. There is a narrow kahawai that connects it to Paiko Lagoon. The black and white photo was taken in the 1950's. I believe the little island in the pond is still there; however, the coconut trees on the island have recently died.

The hope is that these two wahi pana in Maunalua will remain. Lucas Spring and Kuliwai Pond have been neglected for too long! It is time for them to be restored, cared for and used for cultural purposes or as seen proper by experts such as those at UH Manoa Hawaiian Studies Department. Proper stewardship of the ponds would be of great benefit to the restoration and health of Maunalua Bay region and surrounding ahupua'a.

We must not let these historic Hawaiian sites be lost forever in our community. Way to much has been lost already!

Beach Clean-up & Invasive Seaweed Removal at Maunalua

2008-01-18T22:37:00.001-08:00

Plenty of people, young and old, showed up on Saturday, January 12 to offer their kokua in cleaning up Maunalua Bay Beach Park and in removing alien algae from the reef flats in front of Kuliou'ou.

Alyssa Miller & Mahi Genson La Pierre led off the morning with a briefing, than Mahi conducted a pule after which we all went off to pick-up rubbish and clean the shoreline, park, boat ramp area and parking lot. Others went to Kuliou'ou Beach Park and walked out onto the flats to pull invasive seaweed.

I believe approximately 800 lbs plus of seaweed was pulled and brought back to Maunalua Beach Park for sorting and investigation. I watched Eric Co's bottomed-out pick-up truck pull-in, than we unloaded I would guess maybe 30 to 40 bags of seaweed which were weighed and emptied onto the sorting table.

Eric informed everyone about what to look for in the piles of seaweed, with the invasive stuff to be discarded, and any native limu and small animals found to be put back into the sea.

As I drove past the park on the way out after the mornings activities, the beach park and ocean looked especially beautiful in the sunlight thanks to all the good work put in by everybody who participated and that was the ultimate pay off on that fine morning.

Mahalo to everyone for coming out on Saturday and helping malama the ahupua'a of Maunalua.

Makahiki Games at Maunalua Beach Park

2007-12-22T22:23:00.001-08:00

Many thanks to Mahi Genson La Pierre for providing education and Hawaiian games at Maunalua Beach Park on Saturday, Dec. 15 in honor of and celebrating the Makahiki season.

A handfull of us gathered in the morning and had a good time rolling "ulu maika" stones, sliding "moa pahe'e" darts and throwing Hawaiian spears. Gladly, none of us participants was designated for sacrifice. A coconut husk secured to a coconut tree was used as a target for the spears.

Some pictures are shown to the left of the finely crafted game pieces in which Mahi had made some of himself. Also, of the games being played.

Mahalo nui loa again to Mahi for the fun morning.

Koko Marina Center - Ahupua'a o Maunalua

2007-12-13T21:27:00.000-08:00

In the 1950's and early 1960's on the land on and around where Koko Marina Shopping Center now stands were several commercial establishments.

These establishments included a small "mom & pop" type store called Woodlawn Market that was situated approximately where Foodland is now located. Next to Woodlawn Market was a tavern or road house where brawls and fights were reportedly quite common. There was a saimin stand that was converted into a snack shop called the Pink Poodle also next to Woodlawn Market. A Union Oil Station stood near where the church is on Lunalilo Home Road across from the current Unocal station.

In the early 1960's, Henry Kaiser also had his executive and administrative offices along with some experimental structures on the land where homes are now situated along the highway west of First Hawaiian Bank.

Lastly, radio and television personality Lucky Luck had a tavern where the Mormon Church is now located. At that time, people would bring crabs and fish they caught in Maunalua Bay and Lucky would prepare it for them in his tavern.

Lucky Luck was a neighbor of mine in Niu Valley for a brief period of time when I was a kid. I remember hanging out at his house a few times (he had a swimming pool) and having the pleasure of meeting him. He was quite a jovial fellow.

Seaweed Super Sucker in Action off Ahupua'a 'o Kuliou'ou

2007-11-11T11:29:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday, Nov. 7th - Eric Co, Kanekoa Kukea-Shultz, Jeff Sayre, Ramona Sayre & Linda Onomoto took the Super-Sucker out on the reef flats off Paiko Lagoon for some action. I was able to meet them when they came in later in the afternoon at Kuliou'ou Beach Park to help sift through the approx. 5 bags of limu that was sucked up.

There was approx. 72 lbs total of limu total sucked up from a 5 square meter area. Approx. 711/2 lbs of this limu was the invasive type and 1/2 lb was native limu. The native limu and small animals that were found in the bags of limu were put back into the ocean.

Eric - please throw in any comments you might have regarding (what I think was) the first outing of the machine in this area, on how the machine worked or the ratio of invasive limu to native limu found. See pictures above of super sucker machine and limu being sifted.

Wailupe Fishpond - Ahupua'a 'o Wailupe

2007-11-03T10:47:00.000-07:00

Remaining on the subject of fishponds. Another fishpond in Maunalua Bay was Wailupe fishpond. This fishpond was adjacent to Wailupe Beach Park and located across from the Wailupe fire station. This area is now known as Wailupe Circle.

The pond was 41 acres in size and had a wall approx. 2500 feet long. The west side or Wailupe Beach Park side of the pond evidently had a sandy area. There were four inlets or outlets to the pond (makaha) on this side. The wall of the pond consisted of water worn basalt rock which was 12 feet wide. The inside of the pond consisted of sand and silt. McAllister - Arch. of Oahu; Sterling & Summers - Sites of Oahu pp. 274-275.

Wailupe fishpond was a larger pond than Niu's Kupapa pond. The channel and anchorage that exists to this day around Wailupe Peninsula was dredged in 1947 by Hawaiian Dredging and the material was pumped into the old Wailupe fishpond so that homes could be built on the fill land a few years later.

Paiko Lagoon Field Trip - Ahupua'a 'o Kuliou'ou

2007-10-14T23:28:00.000-07:00

This last Saturday, Oct. 13 - a group of us from Malama Maunalua led by Alyssa Miller and Christina Ryder of Ducks Unlimited ventured into Paiko Lagoon Wildlife Sanctuary for a sightseeing tour and a discussion of the flora & fauna of the area. We also were able to clean litter from the area and pull-up some of the invasive seaweed growing in the lagoon.

Alyssa had described some of the previous work that has been done in the area including removal of some of the invasive plants and trees. There removal provides space and less competition for some of the native plants to grow in the region such as the Pohuehue vine and Milo trees which are trying to keep steadfast on the beach area. Also, how Paiko Peninsula has been historically very unstable with sands constantly shifting over time.

Christina mentioned that the lagoon is very productive in regards to providing safe grounds for pua or offspring of certain fish such as oio, mullet, aholehole & kaku (barracuda). Baby mullet were seen jumping and swimming in schools throughout the area.

Not many birds were seen in the lagoon while we were there except for some Kolea (Pacific Golden Plover) & possibly a couple of 'Ulili (Wandering Tattler) off at a distance. No Ae'o (Hawaiian Stilt) or "Auku'u (Black Crowned Night Heron) were seen; although, I often do see them in the lagoon and in other areas in Maunalua such as the canals in the valleys leading to Kuapa pond. "Ulili are common to see on the beach and mud flats off Kuli'ou'ou Beach Park.

Mostly invasive seaweed was found in the lagoon such as the Gracilaria (Gorilla Ogo), Avrainvillea (Leather Mudweed) and the Acanthophora (Prickly Seaweed). Where the mudweed was growing it was quite soft & muddy. Your feet sink into the sediment making it difficult to walk at times. Although, mostly all of the seaweed I observed was invasive - I did see a small pocket of Limu Palahalaha. Another green seaweed was growing in small areas in which I cannot remember the name other than it has "tax" in part of its scientific name. The leaves look like small palm fronds. I don't know if this particular seaweed is an invasive or native seaweed. It was growing right at the inlet into the lagoon. There is some Limu 'Ele'ele growing on rocks outside the lagoon; however, I didn't see any inside the lagoon.

The Avrainvillea seaweed which is growing thickly on the flats outside the lagoon I had heard is not liked by fish. From my observations in this area, this seems to be true. I never see much fish in the area where it is growing other than a periodic barracuda.

Paiko Lagoon is a beautiful place and very unique to this area now. I view it as sort of a last vestige of what was once common in this area before Kuapa pond was dredged and developed by Henry Kaiser.

Kupapa Fishpond - Ahupua'a 'o Niu

2007-10-14T19:01:00.000-07:00

Where Niu Iki Circle is now adjacent to Kalanianaole Highway and opposite (makai) of Niu Shopping Center was once an ancient Hawaiian fish pond called Kupapa.

The pond was filled in and used for agricultural purposes before house were built in that location. The wall of the pond was originally 3 feet high and 8 feet in width forming a semicircle approx. 2000 feet long. The pond area was several acres in size - McAllister (Archeology of Oahu) & Sterling & Summers p. 273 (Sites of Oahu ).

Does anyone have any information or knowledge regarding the old Kupapa pond area prior to houses being built on it in approx. the 1960's.

Ahupua'a 'o Maunalua

2007-10-14T17:24:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, Oct. 6 - It was good fun taking a leisurely walk up the private road atop 642 foot high Koko Head originally called "Mo'okua 'o Kaneapua" and "Kuamo'okane" with other members of Malama Maunalua. The group was led by Alissa Miller and Anne Rosa.

Both Alissa and Anne gave interesting insights about the surroundings of the area as they focused on Maunalua and Hanauma Bays.

Anne pointed out interesting cultural & historical aspects of the area such as the wind of Hanauma which is called 'Ihi'ihilauakea. Also, a crater of the same name is located in Koko Head to the west of Hanauma where a very rare native fern grows. She mentioned how Hanauma was used as a launching point for Hawaiian sailing canoes heading out to sea. The bay providing a safe, sheltered habitat and an abundance of seafood while waiting for ideal conditions to launch.

Alissa informed us about Maunalua Bay and what some of Malama Maunalua's current & upcoming projects are for Maunalua Bay. Also, the importance of continued monitoring of Maunalua Bay by Makai Watch members. The view of both bays was quite impressive from our vantage points.

Mahi La Pierre had told us the mo'olelo of Kuamo'okane at a previous Malama Maunalua Makai Watch meeting. In brief, Kuamo'okane is the back of Kaneapua (Kuamo'okane). A version of the story can be told on a future posting.

Ahupua'a 'o Niu - The Old Niu Valley Pier

2007-10-06T19:27:00.000-07:00

In Maunalua Bay, in the ahupua'a of Niu in the Kona district of Oahu - up until sometime (approx.) in the late 1970's or early 1980's there was an old pier that extended out in front of Niu Valley (just Diamond Head side of Niu Peninsula or Niu Iki Circle (once an ancient fish pond named Kupapa). The old wood plank pier extended out approx. a 1/4 mile over the reef flat or about 2/3rds of the way to the breakers from the beach.

There was a platform on the very end of the pier (maybe about 10 ft x 10 ft) with a metal ladder. The pier was used when I was a kid for playing, fishing, flying kites off the end of and for a shorter paddle out surfing. We had some great games of king of the pier there. King of the pier consisted of pushing others kids, who wanted to play, off the end of the pier into the water and the last one standing on the pier was the winner (I was usually one of the first to get thrown off and don't ever remember winning the lucky title of king of the pier).

Does anyone know when the pier was originally built and for what purpose? Did it have something to do with the cattle & dairy ranches that were in this area before residential development? The pier was in disrepair when we played and walked on it as kids. Some of the planks were very springy.

Also, in Maunalua Bay - old rusting metal piles are in the water to this day off Paiko peninsula in front of the neighboring ahupua'a of Kuliou'ou. What structure or function were these piles originally a part of? There is no channel adjacent to the piles; however, there is a channel running parallel to the shore in front of Kuliou'ou Beach Park (appor. 50 yards off-shore). The piles are on the reef flat directly outside Kuliou'ou stream outlet adjacent to Kuliou'ou Beach Park.

Popoia

2007-08-07T23:37:00.000-07:00

Just off shore of the Kailua ahupua'a in Kailua Bay is Popoia island. Also, known as Flat island, Popoia measures 3.7 acres in size and has a maximum elevation of 10 feet above sea level. It is owned by the State of Hawaii and is designated as a seabird sanctuary.

Popoia means rotted fish. It was named Popoia because of fish bones left at this place (Sites of Oahu , pp. 238). Ko'a (shrine) for moi was previously located in the center of the island. The 1946 title wave ruined the ko'a. Ko'a was used up until the 1920's by informants father with appropriate pule (prayer) - (Sites of Oahu, pp. 238, informant Louis Mahoe).

'Apuakehau Stream

2007-01-22T22:11:00.000-08:00

Before the Ala Wai canal was built in the 1920's, mauka streams draining from the ahupua'a areas of Palolo, Manoa and Makiki filled swampy land, ponds and rice fields in what we now known as Moili'ili, McCully and the Waikiki area mauka of Kalakaua Ave.

These marsh lands drained into three streams that extended makai through the Waikiki area. The stream on the east edge of Waikiki was near what is now Kapahulu Ave. This stream was called Ku'ekaunahi. The stream on the west edge of Waikiki drained into the sea where Ft. Derussy is today and was called Pi'inaio. The middle stream running dead center through Waikiki was called 'Apuakehau. 'Apuakehau entered the ocean where the Outrigger Hotel is today on Kalakaua Ave. (between the Moana Hotel and the Royal Hawaiian Hotel). Kaiualani Ave. covers the original path of 'Apuakehau stream.

The ancient and famous surfing spot called Kalehuawehe was located just outside the mouth of the stream (probably about where Canoe's surfing spot is located today). 'Apuakehau stream formed a muliwai (lagoon) just before it entered the ocean.

On the west bank of 'Apuakehau stream approximately where the Royal Hawaiian Hotel is today was the royal coconut grove at Helumoa. If you walk through the beautiful gardens of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel - some of the tall coconut trees standing there today are remnants of that grove.

The famous chief of O'ahu in the 1500's, Kakuhihewa lived at Ulukou on the east bank of 'Apuakehau stream which is now where the Moana Hotel stands.

'Apuakehau nor any of the other steams mentioned above exist anymore. At least as they once did on the surface of the land. However, we are reminded that the spirit of 'Apuakehau is not dead - it flows below ground and during heavy rains the Outrigger hotels basement parking garage reportedly often floods with water. The water originates from drains in the garage floor. This is the water of 'Apuakehau which still runs below ground under the buildings and streets that now cover Waikiki. See Down Wind Productions website for interesting facts, comments and pictures about Waikiki and 'Apuakehau stream.

Maniniholo Dry Cave

2007-01-15T19:37:00.000-08:00

In the Kaiwiku'i mountain ridge in the Ha'ena ahupua'a of Kaua'i there is a large cave at the base of the ridge called Maniniholo. Maniniholo was the name of the head fisherman at a time when the menehune were leaving Kaua'i.

Maniniholo and is workers once gathered an abundance of seafood from the reefs and bay at Ha'ena for a feast. They did this to honor the menehune before their departure from the island.

Since there was such a great amount of food gathered, some of the food remained after the feast. During the night, the remaining food disappeared.

Maniniholo realized that the e'epa had taken the food after seeing them in the lava cracks in the sides of the cliff above the beach. He and his workers dug into the cliff and killed the e'epa (Wichman, Kaua'i - Ancient Place Names & Their Stories - p. 127-128).

The Maniniholo dry cave is located adjacent to the main road and is across from Ha'ena Beach Park.

Kanoenoe Plain

2007-01-09T23:31:00.000-08:00

Central Oahu is loaded with many ancient place names that are no longer commonly called by these names. One of these names is Kanoenoe plain. This area falls within the ahupua'a of Waipio in the Ewa district.

Kanoenoe plain is the area which is now covered by the Central Oahu Regional Park. This is a newer park of good size that was completed within the last couple of years. It is located just south of Kipapa Gulch and west of the Waipio Gentry residential development. Before the park, the land was covered by pineapples and before that, possibly sugar cane.

Some of the place names of the old central Oahu area are included in a poem that was as follows:

The icy wind of Lihu'e plied its spurs,
Pulling up the bridle of Hale'au'au,
Speeding headlong over Kalena
And running over the plain of Kanoenoe.

Na Wahi Pana O Ewa
Ka Loea Kalaiaina, July, 22, 1899 Newspaper
Sterling & Summers, Sites of Oahu p. 21

Kamilonui

2007-01-07T15:47:00.002-08:00

Kamilonui Valley which lies in the ahupua'a of Maunalua in the Kona district of Oahu is one of the last valleys of significant size in all of Honolulu which remains undeveloped.

The land is used primarily for agricultural purposes at this time. The valley is under threat of development even though farmers leases extend for approx. 15 more years. See letter I wrote to the Honolulu Advertiser Editor in 2005 which addresses the valley and the adjacent heiau called Pahua.

Rock shelters and burial caves were once used in the valley (Sites of Hawaii, p. 264). One of the larger caves above the old Kaiwi road which use to extend to the back of the valley (along the east side) is visible half way up the ridge on the northeast side of the valley.

Although, Kamilonui valley was once included in the larger Maunalua ahupua'a, the valley has nearly all of the elements of a traditional ahupua'a. The base of the valley lacks a large seafront area; however, it does contact the tip of Kuapa pond which is connected to the sea. This valley would be an ideal location to put into practice traditional dryland cultivation and to serve as a model of a traditional ahupua'a system extending from mauka (low mountain peak of Ko'olau mountains above the valley) to makai (mauka tip of Kuapa pond).

There is a stream in the valley that extends to the mauka tip of Kuapa pond that has water flowing through it with aquatic life. The flow does become heavy during rainy weather with the lower portion of the valley adjacent to stream prone to flooding.

Could this valley not serve as a model ahupua'a in which other areas (ahupua'a) developed or not, could learn from? Also, the use, management and cultivation of a dryland type ahupua'a could be observed and studied in contrast to a wetter type ahupua'a such as for example - Kahana valley. Pictures of Kamilonui valley, Pahua heiau and cave on east side ridge of valley are shown above.

Waolani

2006-12-27T21:06:00.000-08:00

Waolani is a small valley located within the larger Nu'uanu valley. Nu'uanu valley is located mauka of downtown Honolulu. O'ahu Country Club now occupies much of Waolani valley. Legend states that the e'epa people once lived in this valley. The e'epa were similar to the menehune. Both of whom were known for being active and working at night.

Many heiau including some of the earliest were located in Waolani. A holua slide may have also previously been situated at the end of a ridge that separates Waolani & Nu'uanu valleys (McAllister - Arch. of Oahu - Sites of Oahu p. 304). I believe the ridge being described is Kekoalani ridge.

One of the famous heiau here was called Kawaluna. The heiau was sacred or a Po'ohonua (Place of Refuge) to all who were sick or who suffered from a wide range of strange ailments (McAllister, Arch. of O'ahu - Sites of Oahu p. 304).

A great battle occurred in Waolani several hundred years ago between ali'i from the Ko'olaupoko and Kona districts of O'ahu. The battle ended in the submission by the Kona ali'i to Kuali'i, the chief from Ko'olaupoko and also the mo'i of O'ahu at that time. Kuali'i than returned to Kailua in the Ko'olaupoko district. This battle was called the "Battle of Kawaluna" (Fornander, Polynesian Race, Vol. II - Sites of O'ahu p. 304).

The Kawaluna battle was in Waolani valley in the Kona district and the winner of this battle was an ali'i from the neighboring Ko'olaupoko district on the opposite (windward) side of the Ko'olau mountains. In speculation on my part, the Kona chief(s) must have felt a strong resentment towards Kuali'i (even with his status as mo'i of O'ahu) to come into their district and exert authority over them on their own grounds. The resentment (or other unknown reason) was obviously strong enough on the Kona chief(s) part to cause them to attempt to resist Kuali'i.

Makahoa Point

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Northern point of the Malaekahana ahupua'a in the Ko'olauloa distrct of Oahu. A fishing shrine for the 'o'io fish was once located on the point. Also, a fish pond called Waipunaea was located near here. Adams field named after Andrew Adams, a Kahuku plantation manager in the early 1900's is located just inland of the point. Mokuauia island (Goat Island) lies on the opposite southern side of the bay.

Certain schools of mullet are said to originate from a place in Pu'uloa (Pearl Harbor) and swim around the southeast end of Oahu, around Makapu'u, and up the windward coast to Makahoa Point. Once they reach here, the schools of mullet disappear (McAllister, Arch. of Oahu). What happens to them is not known; although, it has been said that they may enter an unidentified sea cave or ocean tunnel.

If you have ever camped at the northern Malaekahana camp sites, you may have walked out to this point from the beach. On the way out to the point you have to cross Kaukanala'au stream which empties into the north portion of the bay. Makahoa Point is wind swept and horses sometimes graze here.

Pu'u o Moloka'i

2006-12-17T23:05:00.000-08:00

Not of the island of Moloka'i, but of a small hill in the Waimanalo ahupua'a in the Ko'olaupoko district of Oahu.

Long ago a man from Moloka'i migrated to Waimanalo and took refuge on this hill. Soon after, others from Moloka'i followed and lived also on this hill. Over a period of time, these people and there descendents lost their identity as people being from Moloka'i and were absorbed by the people of Waimanalo. (Oahu Place Names - Bishop Museum)

The hill was said to have been in an old cane field in the vicinity of (across from) Waimanalo park. It would be of interest to know if Pu'u o Moloka'i disappeared long ago, if it disappeared in more recent times when residential development occurred or if the hill still exists in some way, shape or form?