Kaila Hawai'i

A few weeks ago, I finally took a break from my typical weekend schedule of work, reading, writing, and more reading. When I used to be out in West O‘ahu and needed mental relief, I would head out at high speed on Farrington Highway to Keawa‘ula—commonly known as Yokohama—at the end of the road. There, in relative isolation and peace and quiet, I could watch the setting of the sun in the mythic landscape once walked by Kāne and Hi‘iakaikapoliopele. On a few lucky occasions, I was greeted by koholā, the whales, right at the time of sunset.

Now that I’m right in the middle of Honolulu, it’s a bit harder to find that kind of quiet escape. Luckily, on the day I went out to take a break, I arrived on a mellow day at Kaimana Beach, by the old natatorium and Kapi‘olani Park. The tradewinds, the Moa‘e, were blowing, rustling the leaves of the niu, the coconut trees. As sunset approached, the sky turned to a series of soft pinks and purples. The experience was simply transcendent.

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Tags: 'ehu ahiahi, Diamond Head, dusk, Hawaiian Mythology, Kaimana Beach, Kanaloa, Kāne, Kapua, O'ahu, Sans Souci, twilight

Kahi (The Place) : Kualaka‘i, Honouliuli, ‘Ewa, O‘ahu-a-Lua

In a traditional Native Hawaiian perspective, the region now occupied by Kapolei and Kalaeloa (Barbers’ Point) is part of the ahupua‘a of Honouliuli, the largest land division of O‘ahu’s ‘Ewa district. Honouliuli stretches down from the Wai‘anae mountains to Līhu‘e (yes, O‘ahu has one too), the area now occupied by Schofield Barracks, all the way to the Pu‘uloa estuary, now known as Pearl Harbor. The ocean boundary was O’ahu’s southern shore, from Kahe Point to the area near the new Hoakalei development. While much of the Honouliuli region was transformed because of cattle ranching and sugar cane and continues to change from extensive development, we are still fortunate to have access to our kūpuna’s knowledge on the region through their mo‘olelo (stories) and their writings. And by reading their accounts, we can learn of the names of Honouliuli and those who have passed and lived there.

One particular place I have only recently discovered was traditionally known as Kualaka‘i. This is the shoreline area in front of the Barbers Point military base. Once one makes through the former military roads under the hot sun, one discovers the beauty of Kualaka‘i. Two particular stretches of beaches (White Planes and Nimitz) are now known by English names. But let’s return to the name Kualaka’i, which resounds in the legends of time past.

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Tags: Barbers Point, Hawaiian Mythology, Hi'iakaikapoliopele, Honouliuli, Kahakai / Beaches, Kalaeloa, Kapolei, Kualaka'i, Nā Wahi Pana / Storied Places