Honouliuli Ahupuaʻa
A history of the largest land division on Hawaiʻi's island of Oʻahu
Aloha kakou, this Story Map provides the reader with a literal bird’s eye view of the Honouliuli ahupua‘a and it’s rich cultural history. We illustrate how this landscape has changed from the time of early Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) settlement through the impacts of the plantation and ranching era as well as through U.S. military occupation. A component of this story explores military occupation by focusing on the largest internment camp during WWII in Hawai‘i, located at the Honouliuli National Historic Site. Dr. William R. Belcher’s 2016-2019 University of Hawai‘i West O‘ahu anthropology field school took place here and the findings along with students’ insights are highlighted. The plantation and ranching era are described through historical photographs and archival documentation. Cultural practitioner Uncle Shad Kane, through audio interview segments, narrates the wahi pana (sacred places) and the mo‘olelo (stories of place, deities, and past people) attached to these place names that are featured. Mo‘olelo serve as a visual baseline of how the landscape appeared prior to later occupation and development. As such, one component of this Story Map describes the current cultural restoration efforts of local community groups.
Please visit https://www.uhwestoahuonlineexhibitshonouliuli.com/ to learn more about this Story Map as it relates to a larger project funded by the National Park Service and conducted through the Hawaii-Pacific Islands Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit under Task Agreement number P16AC01702.
How to Navigate this Site:
The slideshow below is an overview of each section presented in this Story Map. The remainder of this page, below the slideshow, provides a historical overview of Honouliuli and land use.
At the top of this page are links to all the sections of this Story Map: Land Use in Honouliuli, Wahi Pana (Sacred Places), Moʻolelo, Interview with Uncle Shad Kane, Cultural Resources, Honouliuli National Historic Site, Community Organizations, and References.
Land Use in Honouliuli
This section explores the major uses of this landscape including those of Hawai‘i’s first people. It details the larger political and economic forces that shaped Honouliuli as evidenced by the plantation and ranching industry, salt mining, rail road company, and military occupation.
Wahi Pana (Sacred Places) of Honouliuli
“Wahi Pana” are locations or sites that are legendary, celebrated, or noteworthy. Sometimes translated as “storied places,” wahi pana are historic and cultural resources of the Hawaiian Islands related to moʻolelo (the stories of past people, places, and deities attached to the landscape).
Below is a list of wahi pana sourced from ʻEwa Aina Inventory Halau o Puʻuloa (Uyeoka et al. 2018). Click on a photo to the left or a point on the map to navigate. Click on the "x" to go back to the main map.
Moʻolelo
Stories and legends of Honouliuli
This mural was created by local artist Kupihea to visualize and describe the moʻolelo for Honouliuli. Scroll further down to read about the moʻolelo that are numbered on the mural.
Interview with Uncle Shad Kane
Cultural Resources
Honouliuli has over 600 cultural sites and 5 historic districts identified by over 75 archaeological and architectural surveys that have been conducted since the early 20th century.
This section details the significant cultural resources of Honouliuli. Use the arrows to navigate to each slide.
