Museum Tuesday

The following are images I found online.

This is supposedly a rendering of the fishponds in the Aiea district. The mountains in the area match up with the angle as viewed from the shore of Pearl Harbor. Although it is not exactly specific to which fishponds they are...

 

This image is of a very young, industrialized view of the shores of Pearl Harbor. The dry dock is located where Kualua Island would have been. Now filled in and connected to the mainland of Oahu. It was said that the brother of the shark god Kaahupahau, Kahi'uka. Lived in a cave under where the dry dock was built. It angered him and tremors would rock the foundations of it. Causing it to repeatedly fail. Until a floating dry dock was constructed...

Around the neighborhood

One day on my way home from work. I decided to do a little ride to inspect some new places I had read about near my home in Waimalu. The first was a hill dividing Aiea and Kalauao ahupua'a. There was a cave that contained a stone ahupuaa marker. In which a pig's body would be left, Ana kau pua'a . Like most ahupua'a other markers or ahu around the island in times of old. I remember hanging out at the home of the Manago's across the street and seeing these very large stones centered on the hill across the street. I'm unsure if this area was where Ana kau pua'a was...

I journeyed out and back into Kalauao on my way back home that day, and built up the courage to inspect the lo'i located behind Sumida Watercress Farm. My dad told me that the Lau family owned the area since his youth, and that he even swam in a pond in the area. Although later after I asked him about it again, he recalled it being somewhere near the townhouses are across Moanalua Rd. and not lower near the watercress field. When I first rolled into the property, I was still looking for the legendary bathing pool of Kukiiahu. Where the chiefess Kalaimanuia resided and where Kaeokalani of Kauai was said to have bathed prior to his death in battle with Kalanikupule. In the battle aslo named, Kukiiahu. Although, other separate engagements happened between the two in the surrounding ahupua'a...

 

I rolled right in and passed a sleeping guard dog. Trying to imagine the area as it were in the old days. This reservoir was at first suspected to me as a possible bathing pool but I disregarded the fact because of it's modern design. 

 

Further in, I saw three people tending to the lo'i. I waved and a man stopped his labor and came walking toward me. Mud from his feet to his knees and from his finger tips to his elbow. Just then I realized I had a flat tire and just dropped my bike to the ground and walked towards him. I told him about my blog and my interest in the area.Mr. Deluz is actually a resident of the Koolau area. I guess his expertise in working the land has afforded his family to be caretakers of the area. He told me this area is an ili of Kalauao named Kaonohi. The same name used for the street the leads up mauka in Kalauao. He told me he knew about the battle of Kukiiahu but was unfamiliar with the bathing pool. He suggested, as my father did later. That the bathing pool must have been higher up stream. I asked him then where is the water coming from? since the canal is dry above this area, and he replyed that many springs are located in the property and they all gush forth feeding the lo'i and the watercress field bellow. I've read somewhere that the water from my ahupuaa of Waimalu actually splits in the moutains and some leads off here underground. Mr. Deluz also showed to me the kalo known as Ka'i. A fragrant version of taro and he related it to eating jasmine rice, compared to normal rice. Ewa moku was known for it's Ka'i kalo and is was in high regard by the ali'i and kanaka of the island. In one's oli about being from ewa, they would surley include the Ka'i kalo in pride of their district.

 

Days later, a friend of mine planned a reunion of sorts. He is getting married this coming weekend. He and his brother haven't been riding with our cycling group for a few months now. I met up with the small group and we hung out at Rainbow Park. Just talking story and telling jokes. I had an urge to walk around the park since I've rarely gotten off of my bike when passing the area on the bike path.

 

This tree in the park stood at around the area where the Aiea and Halawa fishpods would have met. It was said that a large pohaku in the stone wall joining the two, was the ahupuaa marker of the two districts. Nothing remains of the fishponds or the ahupuaa marker. Since the military dismantled them to use the stone for construction projects in the military properties. 

 

 

Here are Vance, and Kainoa's track bikes. I hope I see them soon on them riding with us soon again...

<3 Congratulations Vance and Alexia! <3

 

 

 

This would have been the fishpond of Aiea in Honomanu Bay...

 

In the distance would have been the Halawa district's fishponds Loko Kamakupohaku, and Loko Kunana connected to the shore of Halawa and the small island, Kuahua. The small island now located just off shore near the admiral's boat house is a mere joke and nothing but a pile of cement covered by overgrowth. Kuahua Island was located under the mouth of the Halawa stream. Placing it's location at where the docks of the military now stands...

Museum Tuesday

Here is a map of the old rail system around the island. It was taken during my first visit to the Hawaii State Archives building. I was excited to be there and wanted to request to see something tangible. This map was very large and took up a whole table when I took it out. Go take a visit to them online or in person!

Returning to Waimea

Indentured corrections are at hand for this entry. A nice relaxing day at Waimea Beach quaintly led me to a discovery of something I had thought I'd already discovered...

 

Months ago, I had a phone conversation with the artist John Prime. He mentioned that he was beginning research on the Waialua district. We encouraged each other on what we were undertaking at the present time in our lives, and I finally decided to commit to attending a mo'olelo class that he frequented on Thursday nights. Before we disconnected on the line. He asked me a very probing question that I was not yet ready to describe. John asked something like, "what pohaku are calling out to you?" I was startled at such a spiritual question and I began to ramble about things I had recently discovered in person for myself. Although in hind sight I may have simply been bragging about things.

Now from the experience I had yesterday at Waimea bay, I realize the potency of the question John asked...

 

During the end of my past visit to the Waialua area on my bike. Which concluded at Waimea Bay. I misinterpreted what I had read about and thought the stone akua fish god Kaneaukai and the platform used to house it, Kehu o' hapu'u were located inside of Waimea Bay. I posted pictures and shared what I thought was it...

Yesterday while playing in the ocean with friends. I noticed a stone resting on an outcropping far on the west side of the bay, just past the jumping rock. I recalled reading about a couple of famous pohaku in the area that were displaced during road construction...

One was Waikumailani, a son of a mo'o goddess from Mauna Kea. In dreams he met his future wife, Kahelekulani. The hanai daughter of Haumea, from Hilaniwai. They married and a prophesy was uttered by Kahelekulani about Waikumailani eventually making a tour of the island of Oahu. He also would meet another woman named Hawaiiloa on his tour and fall in love with her. Years later the prophecy was fulfilled when he went on his tour and won a commoner named Hawaiiloa in a game of kilu. His wife, Kahelekulani was full of wrath and made war on Hawaiiloa, and won. Killing Hawaiiloa but sparing Waikumailani. Her begged for her love back but she wanted nothing to do with him. At the boundary between Waimea and Koolau, at ahu o' hapu'u. She warned him not to follow her. He tried and was turned to stone where he stood,Waialua side of Waimea river. It could be pointed out until the railroad was created and the stone was blasted away...

 

Another stone, Kaahakii. was the ahupuaa marker for the old division of Waialua and Koolauloa. Prior to Waimea being added into the district of Waialua. It was the shape of a tongue and when the road was regarded in 1930. The stone was left undisturbed but was more exposed out of the earth on the makai side of the road. In the same area another stone mentioned as a kupua was blasted during railroad construction and resulted in the death of three workers. It could not be pulled over and had to be carried away. Possibly Waikumailani...

 

I climbed up to this point to observe the pohaku. Once up there, I noticed a trail that led west between the shore and the road. Toward the property of the last house coming from Haleiwa side. I followed it to see what I could find. Not expecting anything historic.

 

A little way down the trail I tried to notice any tongue looking stone near the road or what that may have resembled a man...

 

 

Around the corner a large outcropping came into view. Pali Kahakai(?)

 

 

I inspected it myself and then returned to the beach to get my iphone. I realized I had come across something significant and invited my friends to come with me. As they always mention they like to come with me to my "Hawaiian adventures,"and here we were. Changing cruise at the beach day into another discovery...

 

(The following photos were taken by my friends. Kawika Samson and Mike Armstrong)

The precipice of stone was very large, matching the description of  Kehu o' hapu'u

 

Before going back to my research last night. I imagined this smooth surface on an outer wall being used for some human reason and displayed to my friends how a large offering could have been placed there in the past.

Later I read that two kahuna of Waimea came across a form of Kaneaukai while fishing. Some stories say two fishmen kept pulling up the same stone in their net and decided to bring it to shore after it notified them that it was the akua Kaneaukai. Kaneaukai also reveals himself in human form in some stories and makes requests to have a shrine set up in his worship. Even asking for two people to travel further west to claim a wooden idol of him and place it next to his stone form. The sharer of that last story claimed to be the grandchild of one of the people that claimed the wooden idol...

 

A heiau structure was created to house the images of Kaneaukai. McAllister surveyed the area and up to present day I now believe they can still be seen here. Although the idols were destroyed during the close of the kapu system. Or at the very least hidden away by it's last caretakers. Mentioned as a kuula for fishermen. A hui, Naowi Ma of Waialua were the last to be connected with that place.... 

 

 

 

At this spot, which lines up with the burial caves and Heiau Kupopolo on the mauka side of the road. Fishermen of the district could watch for schools of fish and they migrated around the island and back to this area.

 

Thinking back at what John said about pohaku calling. Just from my little curious idea of taking a look at a stone near the beach, it open my search for significant areas and things from our past were revealed to me. I will always keep an open mind and try to tune into nature and what the human presence of millennia call out to me.... and then follow up to see if I got it right.

 

 

 The fishing shrine may have worked. Since I claimed this bounty from the shores of Waimea Bay!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Museum Tuesday

...and still we return to Waimea Falls Park for Museum Tuesday. Here is a healing heiau preserved in the valley. Around it are medical plants that would have been used by practitioners of the art.

Ma'anei - Ma'o

On my last visit to the mo'olelo session last week in downtown. I learned a lot of new things about the area surrounding Iolani Palace. The people whom lived there in the old times and also those that were laid to rest in the area. When I arrived on my bicycle, the group was on a walking field trip and sitting down within the Iolani Palace ground. The topic was actually Pohukaina, and I was kind of discouraged about arriving late and missing most of it. I will study up on what I have learned about the are and share it with you once I have a better understanding. As the stories pass through me.

 

One that struck me was that Kaahumanu is said to have lifted the kapu on herself so that she could be closer to her people. She, along with Keōpūolani then abolished the Kapu system in total. Here in this very location...

 

Aside from the talk story session on Thursday night. I haven't been able to visit any Wahipana, or sacred places recently. I have been riding my bike very, very much in the recent days. I'm involved in a riding challenge on Strava hosted by Rapha, my favorite cycling gear. It's called Rapha Rising and it involves riding the same altitudes as the Tour De France cyclists are doing in the final week of the tour. I'm halfway through and will most likely succeed in the challenge. As I did last year.  

 

On my first lap from Papakolea up Tantalus Drive. I noticed this stone standing at the top of the gultch. Alongside the road. Overlooking Punchbowl Crater, Puowaina. Don't quote me on this but I'm inclined to think this is an ahupuaa marker...

Museum Monday

Continuing with Waimea Falls Park. Here are recreations of traditional Hawaiian house sites along with their pohaku aumakua that were chosen to be the protector of the home and family...

Commuter / Discover

I'll share a couple of places I've investigated in the last couple of days while riding my bike. Nothing definite but these are the suspected places that once were important to the Hawaiian people of the area. Now nothing remains of them as far as I can tell.

 

Near the two craters, known as Aliamanu and Aliapa'akai, was an area called Leilono. A place where spirits gathered and travelled to the realm of their aumakua. If they were fortunate enough. Similar to other doors to the spirit realm like the one found at Kaena Point.

Using these legends as guidelines, some ancient Hawaiians used the area as a burial ground. Or as Kamakau named it, the burial mound of Aliamanu. May have been there.

 

This is the tallest hill on the ocean side of the freeway when you're heading over Red Hill. It's also the ahupua'a marker of Halawa and Moanalua. As well as the district marker between the Moku of Kona and Ewa. I'm unsure if Pu'u Kapu or Pu'u O' Ma'o is the name of this hill top but it was where the Ali'i and even the commoners could gather to discuss matters that affected everyone. This hill top is visible at a distance from almost all angles and it makes sense that people would have been attracted to it. Especially of the Ewa District, as it towers over Pearl Harbor otherwise known as Puuloa then.

Nearby was the House of bones, Kauwalua. This is where a Maui chief, Kalaikoa of Kahekili II's order had a house and a fence constructed entirely of human bones. Some accounts were that he made them from victims of unlucky travelers hijacked while passing through this area. As he had a contingent of soldiers turned robbers under his command that would waylay people off of the Moanalua trails in his district. Some people even went as far as swimming across the mouth of Pearl Harbor just to avoid his traps. Other accounts mention that the remains of conspirators from the Waipio rebellion against Kahekili II. Were placed here as defiance toward the Ewa Chiefs for attempting a coup against Kahekili II. After Elani's body decayed in Waialua, his bones may have been placed here along with Konamanu and Kalakio'onui, and other famed Oahu warriors of that time. A fitting closure to this morbid tale is that Kalaikoa's bones were the final pieces needed to complete the structure. A prophet named Pohaha is accredited with discovering the robbers and their chief. Which lead to their downfall. This area was named after him for a period in time.

 

 

 This was my first visit during sunset at Ala Puumalu Community Park. With the largest body of water remaining in Salt Lake.

 

Another trip I did in the afternoon during separate a day with my friend Jorgie. He rode his track bike up this steep incline on a pretty heavy gear ratio that day. I let him rest at the top while I trekked into the bushes to find any type of remains.

I reached a dead end and couldn't approach the exact area pointed out on McAllister's site location.

 

I found some dislodged stones and a dry drainage opening but nothing remains of the renowned burial mound.

 

Yet another visit into the same area in the early morning. This time I approached from the eastern side. Next to the new homes built there. The hill top is the shape of a crescent moon and because of the communication towers. The area is gated off and secured. I doubt anyone could get there to take a look around unless approved by the military. Some say the bones were moved to a cemetery nearby. The only one I can recall was covered in an earlier post and is located further east outside of Fort Shafter on Ala Mahamoe St. Behind Sen. Sakamoto's house.

 

My next site to investigate that morning was a burial cave and heiau named Paliuli. It was to be located on the hillside bordering the Polo fields. Now known as Moanalua Golf Club. I suspected it to be on the same hill that Kaiser Hospital was built on. So I rode to the lowest level in the parking structure and planned to hop over into the stream.

 

 

The parking lot is gated off on the bottom floors and I couldn't investigate any further. Maybe one day I'll ask the groundskeepers of the golf course if they have any mo'olelo to share or if they would allow me to take a better look in the stream where the rock structures and cave should be. When McAllister surveyed the area. The burial remains were already tampered with and were said to have been collected and burned. The heiau structure fronting the cave was said to have contained bone fragments within it...

 

Last week Friday I found myself in Manoa again on my bike and decided to investigate a hill top behind Punahou School. It's now known as Piper's Pali but in the old days it was named Pu'u O' Manoa. This was the hill that marked the separation of chief lands and that of the commoners. I was mistaken in an earlier post and thought it was another hill near Kamanele Park. Pu'u O' Manoa was also the rain boundary of Manoa and any land makai of it is substantially drier than inside the valley. Two children that were said to have abandoned their cruel step mother while their father was off on Hawaii island. Where said to have lived here for a time until they found a cave near the heiau Kukao'o, behind the Cooke home. Now known as the Manoa Heritage Center (I plan to visit it soon but need to make a reservation for the tour). This brother Kauawa'ahila, and sister Kauaki'owao actually represented rain spirits. In which someone knowing the mo'olelo about them could use as a guide to find water sources in the area. Pu'u O' Manoa being just above the spring known as Ka' Punahou. Similarly to that of the older legends of Kane and Kanaloa. In which their travels also contain many stories of waters gushing forth...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Museum Tuesday!

Continuing with Waimea Falls Park. This burial ground still contains traditional Hawaiian burials. Good thing they will not be disturbed under the protection of the park. Unlike most ancient burials were throughout the islands...

Hewahewa, Kamehameha's personal kahuna was said to have inherited Waimea after Kamehameha's conquest. He lived here until a very old age and was laid to rest in the valley. It was said his grave could still be pointed out up until modern times. Although I'm unsure if it is one of these here...