Monday, March 31, 2008

Ahupua'a o Maunalua - Kua'aina




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.





Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Ahupua'a o Maunalua - Pahua Heiau

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.

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Ahupua'a o Maunalua

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.