Sunday, August 4, 2013

Kamananui - Mokuleia

 
 
 
 Last Friday, a group of my cycling buddys and I decided to take a drive out to the north shore and explore some of the back roads. We parked at Waialua High School and agreed to attempt Mt. Kaala Road. We didn't even make it a couple thousand feet until being turned around and ushered off of the private property.
I suggested riding the Plantation Road back behind Waialua High School. I've been there by car already and posted about it in my first coverage of Waialua in my blog. They agreed and we headed up the dirt road.
 
 
 
 I was excited because unlike my last visit to the property of the Benedictine Monastery, there was no loose dog and I was on a bike with fully grown men. Instead of in a car with women and a baby.
I took a closer look at Kalakiki Heiau at the end of the road and can finally supply you with better quality images.
Kalakiki Heiau is related to a shark god of the same name that had a stone in line with the heiau on the shore. Kalakiki Heiau is said to be connected with another called Onehana Heiau. The latter had a more grizzly reputation but both are said to have been associated with human sacrifice. Some say that the sailors, Gooch and Hergest, taken while in a landing party looking for water in Waimea Bay. From the Russian ship Daedalus in May 1792. Were taken here to be sacrificed. Most other stories say they were taken to the Waimea district Pu'u o mahuka Heiau. Although, the Daedalus would have been sitting in the harbor ready to avenge the capture of their shipmates if they saw them at the nearby heiau on the hill...
 
 
The spot where people came to leave offerings and make prayers was at the lower end of the hill at Kalakiki Heiau. Now partly disturbed by a water tower used by the monastery and the heiau grounds and inside of a cattle area...  
 
In the gulch below the heiau are a few peculiar large stones. One that looks like the shape of a sharks fin. Another shark god named Nanaulu may have been associated with this area...
 
I'm happy to involve my cycling friends along with my Hawaiian history discoveries. Although a longer epic climb and descent that day would have been favorable to most of us as well..
 
 
After our ride we went to Paalaa Kai Market and Bakery for some fried chicken, rolling rocks, and snow puffies...
 
We drove back into Mokuleia to hang out at the beach and cool off, more like the ahupuaa of Kawaihapai. Just then we were surprised at the arrival of a six foot long spotted eagle manta ray and its baby. During the time we were there finishing off our food and drinks, the mother ray birthed three or four more babies just off shore...
 

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