Waimanalo... Koonapou (Kaupo Village)

The informant Charles Alana tells about a fishing village on the shore of Makapuu. Where Sea Life Park now stands. Until the mid-1900's the village was still to be seen along the road side where it became an attraction for travelers. Many stone structures could be found in the area. Although not quite as ancient as most other inhabited places on the island. It preceded what we now know as modern Hawaii.

Kaupo Village is said to have been the furthest village at the far end of Koolaupoko in Waimanalo. Before the district of Kona, now known as Honolulu begins on the Leeward side. A gifted fisherman by the name of Kapoi was supposed to be the first inhabitant there. He and his brother were trained in the ways of chanting. Coming from Honolulu and then the gap of Nuuanu. He was compelled to set up his home in this area. His knowledge of chanting is said to have afforded him a home around a small cave with a fresh water source nearby. He was a blessed fisherman said to be able to catch a fish every time he dropped an line in the water. Last of all he was said to be a healer. People would come from all over the islands to be healed by him. Some would return to their home after and some chose to stay nearby. Creating the village known as Kuapo. Making a living from fishing.

As history will teach us over and over again. When a man is blessed in his life, sometimes all there is left to do is come up short with implementing that blessing in their own life. Kapoi was said to have been married later in his life. One day his wife was away but her sister was left at his home with him and...

Well he messed up, let's just say. His almost supernatural gift turned sour and he was left with but a dream. A dream that a woman would come from the shore with burning skin, he would be afflicted with an eruption near his piko by her and he would die by noon.

Sometime later a woman was said to have arrived with a burning skin. The small pox epidemic spread throughout the land. Many died including Kapoi. Who was supposed to have had just one sore near his belly button, his piko. Whoever was left abandoned the village and only the structures of their house sites were left. Until the widening of the road and development moved in. Leaving nothing but what is left to storytelling as evidence of this short establishment. 

Black and white images are courtesy of Hawaii State Archives.