Halawa

Halawa Valley is spoken of by some as not inhabited, and by others that it was a very important valley to the old Hawaiian culture. Chiefs were buried here where stone ovens were set up for each individual chief that passed away for stripping of their flesh to separate their bones for burial in some hidden, but not forgotten grave. Cattle was the first reformer of this valley and then the H3 freeway. That was originally proposed to cut into Moanalua Valley but redirected through Halawa, the eastern most ahupua'a of the Ewa district.

A heiau about a mile into the valley has survived into the modern age with the help of some dedicated individuals. From a time long before the 'Ai Noa, when the males and females of the old Kapu system were separated from certain deeds and the construction of heiau reflected that way of life. I do not know the name of this heiau and I hope I can return with someone more knowledgeable of the area one day. There is supposed to be stone pohaku here that reflect the images of a turtle, whale, shark, owl, and a fertility stone. All within the same area of the heiau. The owl image is on the cliff on the eastern side of the valley and can easily be seen while driving across the H3 freeway. If you spot it, just remember that also marks the area of the heiau below. Try to use the patch of tall royal palms as a marker to start looking for the owl's face on the cliff side. Tall royal palms, ti plants, and noni are usually indicators of a somewhat ancient presence by earlier residents of the area. As they do not disperse themselves much further than their own shaddow.

 

 

 

 

Offerings from the ocean on the back of a pohaku that memorializes an image of a sea dwelling creature sitting far inland from the sea.

If you are daring enough to journey further into the valley. You will cross may bridges and rock slides until the road finally narrows. To fall into the steam, just short to the end of the valley.