About the Oʻahu ʻĀina Inventory
Nohopapa Hawaiʻi collaborated with Kamehameha Schools (KS) on this innovative Oʻahu ‘Āina Inventory that incorporates a synthesis of historical research, ethnographic information, wahi kūpuna data, and the current stewardship efforts taking place in each moku of Oʻahu to create a richer understanding their historical and contemporary cultural landscape. The inventory supports the development of collaborative and innovative strategies to increase availability and access to quality Āina Based Education (ABE) and Hawaiian Culture Based Education (HCBE) opportunities for learners in the region. The ʻĀina Inventory Studies also help support the development of ABE and HCBE curriculum and create processes to build a shared community sense of place.
A considerable amount of research was conducted for these studies; however, it should be noted that they do not represent an exhaustive examination of information relating to the project ahupuaʻa and moku. Additional information has yet to be researched and analyzed including un-translated Hawaiian language newspapers, other Māhele documents, and the untapped memories and recollections of kūpuna. Consequently, this inventory should be considered a summary overview of the cultural, natural, historic, and contemporary community landscapes of the project ahupuaʻa and a compilation of currently available and accessible sources for those areas. The information and data compiled for these studies provide valuable ʻike (knowledge) that acknowledges and commemorates the rich history of each ahupuaʻa and the sustained and deep connection the community maintains with each moku. Oʻahu contains numerous kīpuka that retain the moʻolelo and mana of our kūpuna and remain as sacred and special places for our lāhui to reconnect, prosper, and thrive.
Ultimately, it is hoped that these studies encourage other organizations, kiaʻi, educators, students, and community members to research, document, and continue to pass on the moʻolelo and memories of our treasured places, as well as engage in stewardship efforts to mālama these spaces.
*Kindly, please do no repurpose any of these materials for commercial use.
KONA
Overview
Cover of the Kona ʻĀina Inventory Report
The ʻōlelo noʻeau ʻʻKona, mai ka puʻu o Kapūkakī a ka puʻu o Kawaihoa," explores the expansive Kona District on Oʻahu, spanning from Kapūkakī (Red Hill) to Kawaihoa (Koko Head). Kapūkakī, the authentic name for Red Hill, resides above Oʻahu's largest aquifer in the ahupuaʻa of Moanalua, moku of Kona, adjacent to Hālawa in the moku of ʻEwa to the west. The ʻōlelo noʻeau indicates Kapūkakī as the marker for the west end of the moku of Kona. Similarly, Kawaihoa, denoting the area of Koko Head, emerges as the marker for the east end of the moku of Kona in Maunalua, with Koʻolaupoko to the east. Across generations, the people of Kona, particularly the commoners or maka‘āinana, including fishers, farmers, and guardians of ancestral places, developed a profound connection and relationship with their 'āina. This land, for over two centuries, has functioned as a significant commercial and political hub in the Hawaiian Islands and a favored locale for royal families and ali‘i nui. The resourcefulness of Kona’s Po‘e Kahiko, or people of old, remains evident in the lush valleys of Nu‘uanu and Mānoa.
Despite evolving land division complexities, this study encompasses traditional ahupua‘a based on the Department of Education and census districts. Notably, it includes Kona Moku but excludes Moanalua and Kahauiki, part of KS’ ‘Ewa Region. Manalua, a portion of Waimānalo Ahupua‘a, in the moku of Ko‘olaupoko, is also included. The decision to divide KS’ Kona, Oʻahu Region into 15 palena aligns with the 1880s Hawaiian Government Survey, offering smaller divisions that resonate with traditional concepts and contemporary perceptions.
Explore the Ahupuaʻa of Kona Moku

Kona Moku
Kona Moku. Click to expand.

Kalihi Ahupuaʻa
Kalihi Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
Ke Kai Nehe o Puʻuhale The Murmuring Sea of Puʻuhale (Pukui 1983:186)

Kapālama Ahupuaʻa
Kapālama Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
ʻŌlauniu of Kahaloa The name of Kapālamaʻs Wind. (Moses Nukina n.d.:57 in Moolelo Hawaii o Pakaa a me Ku-a-Pakaa)

Nuʻuanu Palena, Honolulu Ahupuaʻa
Nuʻuanu Palena, Honolulu Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
Kāhiko i Nuʻuanu ka ua Waʻahila Adorned is Nuʻuanu by the Waʻahila rain. (Pukui 1983:143)

Honolulu Palena, Honolulu Ahupuaʻa
Honolulu Palena, Honolulu Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
Hui aku na maka i Kou The faces will meet in Kou (Pukui 1983:120)

Pauoa Palena, Honolulu Ahupuaʻa
Pauoa Palena, Honolulu Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
Kupanihi- Old name for Pacific Heights, name of a supernatural pig who had a taro patch in Pauoa Valley, and who gave birth to a human (Pukui et al. 1974:125)

Makiki Palena, Honolulu Ahupuaʻa
Makiki Palena, Honolulu Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
‘Ualaka‘a, or “Rolling-sweet-potato” Old Hawaiian name for famous sweet potato planting area of Makiki (Handy and Handy 1972:478)

Waikīkī Palena, Waikīkī Ahupuaʻa
Waikīkī Palena, Waikīkī Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
Na līpoa ʻala o Kawehewehe The fragrant lipoa of Kawehewehe (Pukui 1983:246)

Mānoa Palena, Waikīkī Ahupuaʻa
Mānoa Palena, Waikīkī Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
Ka ua Kuahine o Mānoa The Kuahine rain of Mānoa (Pukui 1983:169)

Pālolo Palena, Waikīkī Ahupuaʻa
Pālolo Palena, Waikīkī Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
Ka‘au Crater- Said to have been formed when Māui’s hook fell there after dropping Pōhaku-o-Kauaʻi at Kaʻena Point (Pukui et al. 1974:61)

Waiʻalae Nui Palena, Waikīkī Ahupuaʻa
Waiʻalae Nui Palena, Waikīkī Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
Huihui ka mapuna o Waialae Refreshing is the water spring of Waialae (Frank 1958:22)

Waiʻalae Iki Palena, Waikīkī Ahupuaʻa
Waiʻalae Iki Palena, Waikīkī Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
Huihui ka mapuna o Waialae Refreshing is the water spring of Waialae (Frank 1958:22)

Wailupe Palena, Waikīkī Ahupuaʻa
Wailupe Palena, Waikīkī Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
Wailupe – “Kite Water” Kites were flown only in prescribed places; this was one of them (Pukui et al. 1974:225)

Niu Palena, Waikīkī Ahupuaʻa
Niu Palena, Waikīkī Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
The caves at Niu have long been famous McAllister (1933, in Sterling and Summers (1978:274) quoting Westervelt

Kuliʻouʻou Palena, Waimānalo Ahupuaʻa
Kuliʻouʻou Palena, Waimānalo Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
The knee to which the drum is attached is the kuli- ouou Kuli: knee; ouou: the sound of a drum when struck (Pukui et al. 1974:124)

Maunalua Palena, Waimānalo Ahupuaʻa
Maunalua Palena, Waimānalo Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
Kai pakī o Maunalua The spraying sea of Maunalua (Pukui 1983:153)
Kona Resources
Author | Title | Notes |
---|---|---|
Kepā Maly and Onaona Maly (2003) | Ka Hana Lawaiʻa a me Nā Koʻa o Na Kai ʻEwalu: A History of Fishing Practices and Marine Fisheries of the Hawaiian Islands | This study details archival historical documentary research, and oral history interviews to identify and document, traditional knowledge of Hawaiian fisheries—including those extending from mountain streams to the beaches, estuaries, and near-shore, and extending out to the deep sea—and changes like fishery resources of the Hawaiian Islands as recorded in both written and oral histories. The resources cited in this study were compiled through archival and ethnographic research conducted by Kepā and Onaona Maly over the last 30 years, and from additional research with specific emphasis on fisheries, conducted between August 2002 and May 2003. |
Kanahele, George (1995) | Waikīkī: 100 B.C. to 1900 A.D., An Untold Story | This book, written by George Kanahele, explores the rich cultural history of Waikīkī, emphasizing its natural abundance and the skillful traditional practices of land engineering and biocultural stewardship. Drawing on newly published ethnohistorical and ethnographic resources, Kanahele challenges prevailing Western narratives and stereotypes about Waikīkī, offering a fresh perspective on what the place truly represents and for whom. The stories within the book encompass memories of chiefs, commoners, planters, and fishermen who, in ancient times, transformed an ancient marsh into a significant and enduring locale. |
Handy, E.S. Craighill and Elizabeth Handy with Mary Kawena Pukui (1972) | Native Planters in Old Hawaii: Their Life, Lore, and Environment | In partnership with Mary Kawena Pukui, this publication represents a revised iteration of Handy and Handy’s original work, “The Hawaiian Planter Volume 1,” first published in 1940. This updated edition provides an enriched exploration of Hawaiian biocultural resources, food traditions, and methods of landscape management. The content integrates insights from ethnohistorical, scientific, and archaeological perspectives, offering a comprehensive understanding. Additionally, it encompasses reflections and analyses of Hawaiian political and social norms, material culture, language, traditions, religious practices, dance, visual arts, games, sports, warfare, societal structures, and various other facets of the culture. |
The table above features resources for readers seeking additional information for the Kona Moku.
ʻEWA
Overview
Cover of the ʻEwa ʻĀina Inventory Report
Hālau o Puʻuloa is the title and overarching theme of the ʻEwa ʻĀina Inventory. It refers to the ‘Ewa District’s numerous harbors or awa-lau. Loosely translated, hā-lau can also mean the many voices (or breaths) and pu‘u-loa translates to endearing place or heartland. In essence, Hālau o Puʻuloa conveys “the many voices of the heartland.” Over the generations, the people of ʻEwa developed an intimate understanding and pilina (relationship) with their ‘āina. Considered the heartland of O‘ahu, the bountiful harbors of Pu‘uloa, guarded by the akua manō Kaʻahupāhau, were renowned for their numerous fishponds and famed oysters referred to as “ka i‘a hāmau leo”. ʻEwa Moku is also renowned for its abundance of wai (water). Throughout the district, the cultural landscape is filled with place names honoring wai (Waimalu, Waiawa, Waikele, Waipiʻo, Waipahū). The ingenuity and resourcefulness of residents can be seen in the wai systems they developed to cultivate food and communities. Today, the wai continues to flow in ʻEwa, and the waiwai (wealth) is expressed by community groups who continue to honor the wahi pana (storied places) of ʻEwa and work ceaselessly to maintain a strong and enduring pilina between people and place.
Explore the Ahupuaʻa of ʻEwa Moku

ʻEwa Moku
ʻEwa Moku. Click to expand.

Kahauiki Ahupuaʻa
Kahauiki Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
“Hooipoipo hau kaua-o Kahauiki” We shall bend the hau of Kahauiki (Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Mei 23, 1868)

Moanalua Ahupuaʻa
Moanalua Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
“Ka Makani Hoʻeo o Moanalua” The Hoʻeo, whistling wind of Moanalua (Pukui 1983:158,#1460)

Hālawa Ahupuaʻa
Hālawa Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
“Nani Hālawa i ka ua Waʻahila” Beautiful is Hālawa in the Waʻahila rains (“He Mo‘olelo Ka‘ao Hawai‘i no Laukaieie,” Nupepa Ka Oiaio, Mei 3, 1895)

ʻAiea Ahupuaʻa
ʻAiea Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
“Ke Lihau Haaheo Mai la ka Ua I Kula o Aiea” The Cherished Dew in the Rain on the Plain of ʻAiea (“Make i Aloha nuiia", Nupepa Kuokoa, June 9, 1866)

Kalauao Ahupuaʻa
Kalauao Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
“Holo ka wela ka hahana i kula i Kalauao” The heat and warmth travels across the plain of Kalauao (“He Mo‘olelo Ka‘ao Hawai‘i no Lauka‘ie‘ie,” Nupepa Ka Oiaio, 1894–5).

Waimalu Ahupuaʻa
Waimalu Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
"Kukui malumalu kaua-o Waimalu" We were sheltered by the Kukui of Waimalu (Nupepa Kuokoa, Mei 23, 1868)

Waiau Ahupuaʻa
Waiau Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
"Ko ʻia kaua e ke au-o Waiau" We two are drawn by the current of Waiau (Nupepa Kuokoa, Mei 23, 1868)

Waimano Ahupuaʻa
Waimano Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
"He lau kamano- o Waimano" There are many sharks at Waimano (Nupepa Kuokoa, Mei 23, 1868)

Mānana Ahupuaʻa
Mānana Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
Mai Hoʻomanana iā ʻoe o Manana Don’t stretch yourself out at Mānana

Waiawa Ahupuaʻa
Waiawa Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
E Kuu Kaua i ka Loko Awa—o Waiawa We Two Cast the Net in the Milkfish Pond of Waiawa

Waipiʻo Ahupuaʻa
Waipiʻo Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
E hoʻi ka ʻolu i Waipiʻo, a wai huʻi o Kahuaiki Return to the coolness of Waipiʻo, the cold water of Kahuaiki

Waikele Ahupuaʻa
Waikele Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
"Pīkele ka iʻa o Waikele” The fish of Waikele are small (“He mele no Kualii, Kulanipipili, Kulanioaka, Kunuiakea, & c.,” Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Mei 23, 1868)

Hōʻaeʻae Ahupuaʻa
Hōʻaeʻae Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
"Aohe Hana a ke Kula o Hoeaeae" There is nothing to be done on the Plains of Hōʻaeʻae (“He mele no Kualii, Kulanipipili, Kulanioaka, Kunuiakea, & c.,” Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Mei 23, 1868)

Honouliuli Ahupuaʻa
Honouliuli Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
“Puʻu o Kapolei-e, Uliuli ka poi e piha nei- O Honouliuli” Hill of Kapolei, It is dark with poi which satisfies those of Honouliuli (Nupepa Kuokoa, Mei 23, 1868)
ʻEwa Resources
Author | Title | Notes |
---|---|---|
Maly, Kepā and Onaona Maly (2003) | He Moʻolelo ʻĀina- Traditions and Storied Places in the District of ʻEwa and Moanalua (In the District of Kona), Island of Oʻahu. | Wide range of historical literature including primary Hawaiian language resources; writings of early residents, some pertaining to ʻEwa; documentation of native lore, land tenure (1848- 1920s), surveys (1850-1930s), testimonies of witnesses before the Boundary Commission (ca. 1860s-1920s), records of land conveyances, and historical narratives describing the land and people spanning the period from the late 1700s to the 1920s. |
Merrin, Lilia, Kelley Uyeoka, Pua Pinto, Rachel Hoerman, Dominique Cordy, Kapika Verdugo, and Kekuewa Kikiloi, (2021) | Wahi Hoʻōla Inventory, ʻEwa Moku | The primary objective of this report was to create an inventory of healing spaces, known as wahi hoʻōla, in ʻEwa moku, Oʻahu. The research conducted serves as a foundational step for future work. The report also examines specific focus sites within the ʻEwa Moku, including Keaīwa Heiau in Hālawa, Loko Paʻaiau in Kalauao, Hapuʻu in Waiawa, and Kaupeʻa and Puʻukapolei in Honouliuli. |
Genz, Joesph J., Constance O’Hare, and Hallett H. Hammatt (2010) | Ethnohistoric Study of Kamehameha Schools’ Lands in Waiawa, Waiau, and Kalauao (Ka‘ōhoni ‘Ili) Ahupua‘a, ‘Ewa District, Island of O‘ahu | Extensive documentation of historical, ethnographic, and cultural information as well as community interviews for Waiawa, Kalauao, and Waiau; this approximately 200-page document has a detailed index. |
This excellent website is regularly maintained and updated with quality information in a user-friendly format | Contains a very large collection of searchable historical maps, aerial photographs, Land Court documents and maps, and USGS maps; also useful primary references and educational material | |
ʻEwa ʻĀina Education Initiative | The ʻEwa Āina Education Initiative website is a collaborative project involving Kamehameha Schools ʻEwa Region, Mālama Learning Center, and Hui o Hoʻohonua. This online platform serves as a resource for a professional development program aimed at fostering collaboration between teachers and Hawaiian stewards of land and culture in the ʻEwa Moku region. The initiative, rooted in the ʻEwa Āina Inventory, is dedicated to creating ʻāina-based curriculum and learning opportunities for the youth of the region. The website offers lessons and teaching resources derived from the initiative's objectives. The primary focus is to generate place-based educational materials that authentically reflect Hawaiʻiʻs unique cultural and environmental context by incorporating diverse perspectives into the development process. |
The table above features resources for readers seeking additional information for the ʻEwa Moku.
WAIʻANAE
Cover of the Waiʻanae ʻĀina Inventory Report
Overview
The moku of Waiʻanae, situated on the western side of Oʻahu, is bordered by Waialua to the northeast and ʻEwa to the southeast. Composed of eight ahupuaʻa, its expanse extends from the Keawaʻula side of Kaʻena Point to the ridge of Manawahua in Nānākuli. Stretching over Kolekole Pass, the moku reaches Puʻu Kaʻaumakua, where it intersects with the Koʻolau Mountain Range. The summit of Kaʻala, Oʻahu's tallest point, serves as the central piko of Waiʻanae. Despite the intense heat, the district showcases a unique landscape with ridges, valleys, streams, and springs. The air on the leeward side is generally warmer, but the famous, coo,,l and pleasant trade-wind breeze, Kaiāulu, sweeps through Waiʻanae. The people of Waiʻanae have cultivated an intimate understanding and relationship with their land, and the moku is renowned for its bountiful coastline and abundance of fish. Despite the heat, water resources like streams and springs add to the district's potential as a major contributor to food production on Oʻahu. The residents’ ingenuity, resourcefulness, and resilience are evident in their care for fisheries, ensuring access to food and fostering wealthy communities. Moʻolelo (stories) in the Waiʻanae Moku include the demigods Māui and Kamapuaʻa; the akua and deities Kāne, Haumea, Hiʻiaka, and Kainoa; Puhinalo (the eel man); Ke Anuenue (goddess of the rain); the shark gods and deities Kamohoaliʻi, Nanaue, and Pōhakuola; Kaʻopulupulu (the prophet); and the aliʻi (chiefs) Olopana, Kawelo, Halemano, Kūaliʻi, Keakaoku, Kauluhinalo, Keaweulaokalani, Kapunohuula, Pau, Hua-i-ka-laʻilaʻi, and Hua-nui-ka-laʻilaʻi.
Explore the Ahupuaʻa of Waiʻanae Moku

Waiʻanae Moku
Waiʻanae Moku. Click to expand.

Nānākuli Ahupuaʻa
Nānākuli Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
Ke Aloha ʻia nō aʻo Nānākuli ʻeā So loved is Nānākuli (Mele Compiled by Kimo Alama Keaulana, in Puke Mele Volume 1 (1988 & 2000) and Puke Mele Volume 2 (2003) Translated by Mrs. Alice Namakelua)

Waiʻanae Ahupuaʻa
Waiʻanae Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
ʻŌla Waiʻanae i makani Kaiāulu Waiʻanae is made comfortable by the Kaiāulu Breeze (Pukui 1983:273, #2495)

Mākaha Ahupuaʻa
Mākaha Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
Ka Haʻa ʻana o ka Lā i Mākaha The dance of the sun at Mākaha. (Ho‘oulumāhiehie 2006:263–265)

Keaʻau Ahupuaʻa
Keaʻau Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
Kuano no o Keaʻau e Parched is Keaʻau (ʻĪʻī 1959:98)

ʻŌhikilolo Ahupuaʻa
ʻŌhikilolo Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
Lili ka lā i ʻŌhikilolo How it quivers at ʻŌhikilolo (Ka Hoku o ka Pakipika, March 20, 1862)

Mākua Ahupuaʻa
Mākua Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
Mākole iho hewa i Mākua Red eye one goes to Mākua by mistake (Pukui 1983:230, #2112)

Kahanahāiki Ahupuaʻa
Kahanahāiki Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
Paʻa pono nā kikipani ka lā i Kahanaiki Stopped completely by the last rays of the sun at Kahanaiki (Clark [Keao NeSmith, trans.] 2014:85)

Keawaʻula Ahupuaʻa
Keawaʻula Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
Ua hanohano ka poli o Keawaʻula The bosom of Keawaʻula is heated (Judd 1930:65)
Waiʻanae Resources
Author | Title | Notes |
---|---|---|
Cordy, Ross (2002) | An Ancient History of Waiʻanae; Ka Moku o Waiʻanae: He Moʻolelo o Ka Wā Kahiko | The resource provides a comprehensive overview of Waiʻanae’s Hawaiian history prior to European contact, synthesizing information from archaeological research and oral historical accounts. It delves into topics such as the leeward environment, early settlements, and distinctive characteristics within each ahupuaʻa and palena. The narrative expands to include the development of complex societies, population growth, the historical evolution of the landscape, noteworthy cultural sites, place names, and renowned moʻolelo. This book serves as an inclusive overview, offering a comprehensive and holistic research of Waiʻanae’s history by incorporating diverse sources and aspects of the region's cultural and archaeological heritage. |
Clark, John R. (2014) | North Shore Place Names | This book is a compilation of North Shore place names drawn from primary, translated Hawaiian language resources. 19th-century Hawaiian scholarship, mele (songs), oli (chants), moʻolelo, nūpepa (newspaper) articles, Māhele land records, and more are featured. It covers land divisions from Kahuku to Ka‘ena. Part dictionary, part encyclopedia, entries are arranged alphabetically with place names in bold. The primary source in Hawaiian is followed by its English language translation completed by Keao NeSmith. |
Waiʻanae Coast Culture and Art Project (1985) | Ka Poʻe Kahiko O Waiʻanae | This book gathers twenty-eight oral histories that offer a living patchwork and ethno-historical account of the Waiʻanae Coast and its communities published by the Waiʻanae Coast Culture and Arts Society, the book presents narratives and stories passed down through generations, capturing the cultural and historical richness of the Waiʻanae region. It delves into the traditions, customs, and experiences of the indigenous people of Waiʻanae, offering insights into their ways of life, social structures, and the significance of the land. By compiling oral histories, the book contributes to the preservation and documentation of the unique cultural heritage of the Waiʻanae Coast. |
The table above features resources for readers seeking additional information for the Waiʻanae Moku.
WAIALUA
Cover of the Waialua ʻĀina Inventory Report
Overview
Waialua, one of Oʻahu’s six traditional moku (districts), encompasses the majority of the northern portion of the island and has seen changes in its boundaries over time. Originally consisting of 14 ahupuaʻa, the district has undergone alterations, with the addition of Waimea and the transfer of Wahiawā and Waiʻanae Uka in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, Waialua Moku stretches from Kaʻena Point to Waimea including the ahupuaʻa of Kaʻena, Keālia, Kawaihāpai, Mokulēʻia, Kamananui, Paʻalaʻa, and Kawailoa. The district is traditionally known for its pleasant weather, well-watered seaward slopes, and fertile lands that were once occupied by loʻi kalo (taro terraces). Renowned for its fishing grounds, broad beaches, and coastal fishponds, Waialua played a significant role in Hawaiian history as an oracle center and residence for kāhuna such as Ka‘ōpulupulu, Lokai, and Pu‘ali. Moreover, encompassing Wailaua were diverse resources such as ʻuala (sweet potato) cultivation, rich marine resources, fishing shrines, heiau (temples), ala (trail) systems, named winds and rains, a network of kahawai (streams) and muliwai (rivers, river mouths). Prominent puʻu (hills, peaks) further contribute to the rich history of settlement within the moku. The moʻolelo of Waialua Moku feature various legendary figures like Maui, Pīkoiaka‘alalā, and Kaanaana, Pele, Hiʻiaka, Kalelealuaka, Kalamainuʻu, ʻAikanaka, Lonoikamakahiki, and Lonokaeho. Themes of moʻo akua, water, drought, salt production, forest resources, female surfers, ruling chiefs, and prophecies are also threaded throughout the moʻolelo of Waialua Moku. The name “Waialua” is linked to twin streams and various legends, including one about the disgraced chief Waia. Despite urbanization and changes brought by the sugar industry, on-going efforts aim to preserve Waialua’s cultural heritage, encompassing place names, ancestral sites, stories, songs, chants, and the community within the moku. The title of this study, “Waialua, ʻāina kū pālua i ka laʻi,” reflects admiration for the tranquil life and pleasant weather of Waialua.
Explore the Ahupuaʻa of Waialua Moku

Waialua Moku
Waialua Moku. Click to expand.

Kaʻena Ahupuaʻa
Kaʻena Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
"Liua ke kaha ‘o Ka‘ena wela i ka lā, ‘Āina ia iho la ka pōhaku a mo‘a wale" Kaʻena’s lands reel from the heat of the sun, the stones made rigid, cooked through (Hoʻoulumāhiehie [and Nogelmeier, trans.] 2013:165)

Keālia Ahupuaʻa
Keālia Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
"A Keālia pau ka loa, he wai Ka‘aiea ma mua" At Keālia the long journey ends, ahead are the waters of Ka‘aiea [of exhaustion] (Ka Hoku O Ka Pakipika, J.W. Kahalau, 1862)

Kawaihāpai Ahupuaʻa
Kawaihāpai Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
Ka wai kumuʻole The water without source [Refers to the divine source of Kawaihāpai’s waters] (Pukui 1983:178-179 #1655)

Mokulēʻia Ahupuaʻa
Mokulēʻia Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
Mehe moena pāwehe ala, i ke kula o Mokulēʻia Like the pattern mats there, on the plains at Mokulēʻia (Bacon and Napoka 1995:80-81)

Kamananui Ahupuaʻa
Kamananui Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
Pili pono ka lā i Kamananui The sun is very close to Kamananui (Pukui 1983:291, #2653)

Paʻalaʻa Ahupuaʻa
Paʻalaʻa Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
Honi nā kini i ka makani Paʻalaʻa, he hanu no ke kaʻalani ē The multitude smell the Paʻalaʻa breezze, a breath of air for those about the chief. (Andrews 1865:230)

Kawailoa Ahupuaʻa
Kawailoa Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
Ka ʻehu kai o Puaʻena The sea sprays of Puaʻena (Pukui and Elbert 1986:153)
Waialua Resources
Author | Title | Notes |
---|---|---|
Jan Becket and Joseph Singer; contributions by Kehaunani Cachola-Abad, J. Mikilani Ho, and Kawika Makanani | Pana Oʻahu: Sacred Stones, Sacred Land | Becket, Singer, and other contributing researchers present a photo-documentary survey and discussion of Oʻahu wahi kūpuna that have persisted into the late twentieth century. Black and white photography combined with historical evidence drawn from Hawaiian and Western sources explain the wahi pana and cultural significance(s) of the places, if known. |
Clark, John R. and Keao NeSmith (trans.; 2011) | Hawaiian Surfing: Traditions from the Past | Waialua Moku places and the greater North Shore are woven into this surfing moʻolelo by the author, a Hawaiian waterman. Clark uses primary ethnohistorical and historical resources, including original translations of Hawaiian language newspaper articles, to tell the moʻolelo of Hawaiian surf sports from the past to the present. It begins with a richly detailed discussion of ancient Hawaiian surf sports, equipment, protocols, techniques, vocabulary, and famed surfers from makaʻāinana (commoners) to aliʻi (chiefs, chiefesses). Ancient surf breaks still in use today are identified throughout the pae ʻāina. A dictionary of Hawaiian-English surf vocabulary collected from primary Hawaiian language materials is also provided, along with full/partial texts and translations of the materials themselves. |
Clark, John R. (2014) | North Shore Place Names | This book is a compilation of North Shore place names drawn from primary, translated Hawaiian language resources. 19th-century Hawaiian scholarship, mele, oli, moʻolelo, nūpepa, māhele land records, and more are featured. It covers from Kahuku to Ka‘ena. Part dictionary, part encyclopedia, entries are arranged alphabetically with place names in bold. The primary source in Hawaiian is followed by its English language translation completed by Keao NeSmith. |
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Center for Oral History Sponsored, Community-Initiated Oral History Projects | Oʻahu North Shore Field School is Accessible online via Permanent URI for this collection https://hdl.handle.net/10125/102326 | The Oʻahu North Shore Field School (NSFS), initiated in 2012, began as an Indigenous archaeology training program focused on Kupopolo Heiau and ‘Uko‘a in the Waialua moku. Initially run by the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa's Department of Anthropology and sponsored by Kamehameha Schools' ‘Āina Ulu program, the NSFS transitioned to ethnographic and oral history methods in 2017. The program, a collaboration between the Department of Ethnic Studies and the Department of Anthropology, partnered with the Waialua Hawaiian Civic Club. Supported by Kamehameha Schools, the NSFS conducted interviews with 22 kūpuna (elders) from 2018 to 2020. The initiative aimed to document, preserve, and honor the stories of Waialua's people, fostering connections between students, community volunteers, and cultural practitioners. The disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the passing of some kūpuna led to modifications in the program, with the 2021 class being fully virtual. The NSFS, through diligent efforts, compiled transcripts, Story Maps, and other materials, inviting the public to explore their website for a comprehensive understanding of the community's narratives and histories. |
The table above features resources for readers seeking additional information for the Waialua Moku.
KOʻOLAULOA
Overview
Cover of the Koʻolau ʻĀina Inventory Report
“Nā Pali Hāuliuli o ke Koʻolau”, the title of this ʻĀina Inventory, is an ʻōlelo noʻeau (Hawaiian proverb) that can be translated as “[t]he dark hills of Koʻolau” and refers to “the hills and cliffs of the windward side of Oʻahu are always dark an beautiful with trees and shrubs” (Pukui 1983:249, #2285). The Koʻolau District is a verdant and bountiful landscape comprised of both the moku of Koʻolaupoko and Koʻolauloa. The name Koʻolaupoko, translates literally as “the short windward”, in contrast withto Oʻahu’s northeastern windward district known as Koʻolauloa, “the long windward” (Pukui et al. 1974:117). While the reasoning behind the naming of this moku is unknown, it is speculated that the name reflects the relatively short distance from the sea to the cliffs of the Koʻolaupoko Mountain Range. Often, the Ko‘olaupoko and Ko‘olauloa Districts are referred to as a cohesive land region due to their comparable geography featuring high-peaked mountains, extensive deep valleys, broad and productive coastal plains, and streams that supplied water to upland crops such as kalo (taro), ʻuala (sweet potato), uhi (yam), maiʻa (banana), wauke (paper mulberry), olonā (native shrub) and ‘awa (kava) (Handy 1940:75,131). However, there are notable variations in the topography of these two districts. Within the moku of Koʻolauloa, the thirty-two ahupuaʻa extend from Kaʻaʻawa to Waimea and are characterized by low mountains, deep valleys, and a narrow coastline. Despite a relatively drier climate, Koʻolauloa historically supported many spring-fed loʻi kalo (irrigated taro terraces) and abundant fishing along the coastline. Moʻolelo within this district often references the deity Kamapuaʻa, along with the gods Kāne and Kanaloa, who were responsible for creating springs and fishing, as well as manō kanaka (shark gods and shark men).
Explore the Ahupuaʻa of Koʻolauloa Moku

Koʻolauloa Moku
Koʻolauloa Moku. Click to expand.

Kaʻaʻawa, Makaua, Kahana Ahupuaʻa
Kaʻaʻawa, Makaua, Kahana Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
Na kupa heʻe ʻĀhiu i ka laʻi o Kahana. The native sons who surf in the ʻĀhiu wind in the peaceful land of Kahana (Pukui 1983:246)

Punaluʻu, Waiono, Pūheʻemiki, Kapano, Haleʻaha, Papaʻakoko Ahupuaʻa
Punaluʻu, Waiono, Pūheʻemiki, Kapano, Haleʻaha, Papaʻakoko Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
ʻEwalu ka maka o ke keiki puaa a Hina Eight are the eyes of the pig child of Hina (Maly and Maly 2005:11)

Kaluanui, Kapaka, Mākao, Hauʻula, Kaipapaʻu Ahupuaʻa
Kaluanui, Kapaka, Mākao, Hauʻula, Kaipapaʻu Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
No Kaipapaʻu, paha? From Kaipapaʻu, perhaps? (Pukui 1983:246)

Lāʻiemaloʻo, Lāʻiewai, Mālaekahana Ahupuaʻa
Lāʻiemaloʻo, Lāʻiewai, Mālaekahana Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
Lele Laniloa, ua mālie Kai koʻo lalo Ua pī kai ʻia au ē Laniloa soars, peacefully calm A roaring sea below I am cleansed by the salt spray (Hoʻoulumāhiehie 1905, 1906 [Nogelmeier, trans.] 2013:156)

Keana, Kahuku, Punalau, Ulupehupehu, ʻŌʻio, Hanakaoe, Kawela, ʻŌpana Ahupuaʻa
Keana, Kahuku, Punalau, Ulupehupehu, ʻŌʻio, Hanakaoe, Kawela, ʻŌpana Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
Ko Ke Koolauwahine mau itamu These are the items of the people of the Koʻolauwahine wind. (Kahiʻona 1920 in Clark [Keao NeSmith, trans.] 2014:97)

Pahipahiʻālua, Waileʻe, Kaunala, Paumalū, Pūpūkea, Waimea Ahupuaʻa
Pahipahiʻālua, Waileʻe, Kaunala, Paumalū, Pūpūkea, Waimea Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
O ke one wali o Waimea-la, O ke kula o Pupuke-a. The soft sands of Waimea The plains of Pūpūkea (Clark [Keao NeSmith, trans.] 2014:231)
Koʻolauloa Resources
Author | Title | Notes |
---|---|---|
Jan Becket and Joseph Singer; contributions by Kehaunani Cachola-Abad, J. Mikilani Ho, and Kawika Makanani | Pana Oʻahu: Sacred Stones, Sacred Land | This book looks at various selected wahi pana throughout the different moku of Oʻahu to help preserve and protect them. There are sixty heiau photographed and described along with important contextual information about Koʻolaupoko and the fourteen selected sites highlighted within. |
Clark, John R. and Keao NeSmith (trans.; 2011) | North Shore Place Names | This book is a compilation of North Shore place names drawn from primary, translated Hawaiian language resources. 19th-century Hawaiian scholarship, mele, oli, moʻolelo, nūpepa, Māhele land records, and more are featured. It covers land divisions from Kahuku to Ka‘ena. Part dictionary, part encyclopedia, entries are arranged alphabetically with place names in bold. The primary source in Hawaiian is followed by its English language translation by Keao NeSmith. |
Hoʻoulumāhiehie (1905, 1906) and Nogelmeier (Translator; 2013) | The Epic Tale of Hiʻiakaikapoliopele | The Ko‘olau Moku of windward O‘ahu feature heavily in this moʻolelo. Published in a series of Hawaiian language newspaper articles in 1905 and 1906, the early twentieth-century Hawaiian writer Hoʻoulumāhiehie details the adventures of the goddess Hiʻiaka, younger sister of Pele, as she journeys across the pae ʻāina to find the kāne Lohi'auipo. A treasury of oli, mele, wahi pana, wahi kūpuna, legendary figures, Hawaiian cultural and natural resources, and storied landscapes. |
Maly, Kepā and Onaona Maly (2003) | He wahi moʻolelo no Kaluanui ma Koʻolauloa, Mokupuni ʻo Oʻahu: A collection of traditions, historical accounts and kamaʻāina recollections of Kaluanui and vicinity, Koʻolauloa, Island of Oʻahu | This report is divided into two volumes. The first volume covers the history of Kaluanui and neighboring lands in Koʻolauloa. It includes information on the land tenure and residency of the area from 1859 to 1930, the acquisition of public lands, the sugar interests of Kaluanui such as the Koʻolau Agricultural Company, Koʻolau Railway Company Limited, and Kahuku Plantation Company, archaeological studies, and the Kaluanui-Kaliuwaʻa Oral Program of 2003. The second volume consists of oral history interviews of local residents (kamaʻāina) in the Kaluanui and Kaliuwaʻa vicinity. |
Pooloa, George (1919) | “Ke Aloha Aina. Noted Places on the Island of Oahu.” Ke Aloha Aina. February 15, 1919. Edgar Henriques Collection (HEN) (trans.). Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum Library and Archives. | This Hawaiian language newspaper article written by George Pooloa is a travelogue and remembrance of Lāʻiemaloʻo, Lāʻiewai, and Mālaekahana and southern Koʻolauloa. Pooloa lived in the community of Lāʻie, and his account is peppered with mele, and insights into treasured Hawaiian natural and cultural features found in Lāʻiemaloʻo, Lāʻiewai, and Mālaekahana. |
The table above features resources for readers seeking additional information for the Koʻolauloa Moku
KOʻOLAUPOKO
Cover of the Koʻolau ʻĀina Inventory Report
Overview
“Nā Pali Hāuliuli o ke Koʻolau”, the title of this ʻĀina Inventory, is an ʻōlelo noʻeau (Hawaiian proverb) that can be translated as “[t]he dark hills of Koʻolau” and refers to “the hills and cliffs of the windward side of Oʻahu are always dark and beautiful with trees and shrubs” (Pukui 1983:249, #2285). The Koʻolau District is a verdant and bountiful landscape comprised of both the moku of Koʻolaupoko and Koʻolauloa. The name Koʻolaupoko translates literally as “the short windward”, in contrast to Oʻahu’s northeastern windward district known as Koʻolauloa, “the long windward” (Pukui et al. 1974:117). While the reasoning behind the naming of this moku is unknown, it is speculated that the name reflects the relatively short distance from the sea to the cliffs of the Koʻolaupoko Mountain Range. Often, the Ko‘olaupoko and Ko‘olauloa Districts are referred to as a cohesive land region due to their comparable geography featuring high-peaked mountains, extensive deep valleys, broad and productive coastal plains, and streams that supplied water to upland crops such as kalo (taro), ʻuala (sweet potato), uhi (yam), maiʻa (banana), wauke (paper mulberry), olonā (native shrub) and ‘awa (kava) (Handy 1940:75, 131). However, there are notable variations in the topography of these two districts. Within the moku of Koʻolaupoko, eleven ahupuaʻa form a continuous coastal plain stretching from Waimānalo to Kualoa, renowned for tall-peaked mountains and abundant freshwater (Handy 1940:94; Landgraf 1994:v). Koʻolaupoko historically boasted high agricultural productivity with extensive loʻi (irrigated terraces) and over thirty fishponds, making it a primary population center on Oʻahu before the Māhele (Handy 1940:86; Handy et al. 1972:153, 247, 271-272). This district was sacred to chiefs, served as the residence of the voyaging chief Laʻamaikahiki, and was associated with deities like Kaulu and Kamapuaʻa (Landgraf 1994:36-38; Kamakau 2011:88- 89, 105-110,115; Kalākaua 1972: 125;135 Pukui, Elbert, Mookini 1974: 154 Sterling and Summers 1978: 163-164,190, 231, 232; “Na Wahi Pana o Ewa” in Ka Loea Kalaiaina Aug. 19, 26, 1899; Fornander 1919 Vol. V.:320; Maly and Maly 2003:18-21).
Explore the Ahupuaʻa of Koʻolaupoko Moku

Koʻolaupoko Moku
Koʻolaupoko Moku. Click to expand.

Waimānalo Ahupuaʻa
Waimānalo Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
Aia i Waimānalo Kō Nuʻa Hulu There on Waimānalo is your feather bounty (Ka Nupepa Elele, by Mrs. A. L. K., December 25, 1886)

Kailua Ahupuaʻa
Kailua Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
Kiʻekiʻe i luna ke kū ʻo Ahiki Holo ana ke aka i Kawainui High above is the peak, Ahiki Its shadow sails below on Kawainui (Kīhei de Silva, n.d.a)

Kāneʻohe Ahupuaʻa
Kāneʻohe Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
Kini Kailua, mano Kāneʻohe Forty Thousand in Kailua, four thousand in Kāneʻohe (Pukui 1983:93)

Heʻeia Ahupuaʻa
Heʻeia Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
Ke koʻa mokumoku o Heʻeia The broken coral beds of Heʻeia. (Pukui 1983:168)

Kahaluʻu, Waiheʻe, Kaʻalaea Ahupuaʻa
Kahaluʻu, Waiheʻe, Kaʻalaea Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
Ka ua pōʻaihale o Kahaluʻu The rain that moves around the homes of Kahaluʻu (Pukui 1983:173)

Waiāhole, Waikāne, Hakipuʻu, Kualoa Ahupuaʻa
Waiāhole, Waikāne, Hakipuʻu, Kualoa Ahupuaʻa. Click to expand.
…aia ka Nāulu, ke ʻoni i mua o Kualoa; hele nō ke kualau, hele nō ka Nāulu a ka makani e hāpaipai mai ana… …there is the Nāʻulu shower, moving before Kualoa; the kualau rain travels, the Nāʻulu travels; borne[sic] on the wind… (Mokumaia 1921 as translated in Akana and Gonzalez 2015:122)
Koʻolaupoko Resources
Author | Title | Notes |
---|---|---|
Maly, Kepa and Onaona Maly (2003) | Ka Hana Lawaiʻa a me Nā Koʻa o Na Kai ʻEwalu: A History of Fishing Practices and Marine Fisheries of the Hawaiian Islands | This study uses ethnohistorical and ethnographic information to identify and document traditional knowledge of Hawaiian fisheries...and changes through time in the nature of Hawaiian fishery resources. This work represents over 30 years of archival and ethnographic research, as well as efforts targeting fisheries between August 2002 and May 2003, by the renowned researchers and ethnographers Kepā and Onaona Maly. |
Landgraf Anne K. and Fred Kalani Meinecke (trans.) (1994) | Na Wahi Pana O Koʻolau Poko (Legendary Places of Koʻolau Poko) | A curated discussion and visual tour of Koʻolaupoko wahi pana (storied places). Oral historical, ethnohistorical, and archaeological streams of knowledge are combined in this ahupuaʻa by ahupuaʻʻa survey of storied places. Contains artistic, photographic documentation of wahi pana as they are today, paired with concise, poetic summaries of Hawaiian oral and ethnohistorical manaʻo and additional historical and archaeological information. |
Hamasaki, Mark and Kapulani Landgraf (2003) | Ē Luku Wale Ē: Photographs by Piliāmoʻo | The book visually records sacred sites before and after their erasure, providing a historical account of the H-3 freeway's construction—an extensive engineering project spanning from Hālawa Valley through the Ko‘olau range, reaching Ha‘ikū Valley, and descending into Kāne‘ohe. The narrative aims to convey the impact of this freeway on the landscape and people, emphasizing the loss of culturally significant places for Native Hawaiians through visual and verbal expressions of lamentation. |
Becket, Jan and Joseph Singer (1999) | Pana Oʻahu: Sacred Stones, Sacred Land | This book looks at various selected wahi pana throughout the different moku of Oʻahu to help preserve and protect them. There are sixty heiau photographed and described along with important contextual information about Koʻolaupoko and the fourteen selected sites highlighted within. |
The table above features resources for readers seeking additional information for the Koʻolaupoko Moku.