AISP Kamehameha Highway Guideway - Honolulu Rail Transit Project

Cultural Surveys Hawai‘i Job Code: MANANA 1
Background Research
Section 2 Background Research
2.1 Mythological and Traditional Accounts
2.1.1 Place Names of Eastern ‘Ewa
In 1873, S. K. Kuhano described the ancient O‘ahu land divisions. The island was as divided
into 6 moku (districts), consisting of: Kona, ‘Ewa, Wai‘anae, Waialua, Ko‘olauloa and
Ko‘olaupoko. These moku were further divided into 86 ahupua‘a (land division within a moku).
‘Ewa was divided into 12 ahupua‘a, consisting of (from east to west): Hālawa, ‘Aiea, Kalauao,
Waimalu, Waiau, Waimano, Mānana, Wai‘awa, Waipi‘o, Waikele, Hō‘ae‘ae and Honouliuli
(Kame‘eleihiwa 1992:330). The current study area, located in eastern ‘Ewa, traverses the
ahupua‘a of Waiawa, Mānana, Waimano, Waiau, Waimalu, Kalauao, ‘Aiea, and Hālawa (Figure
7).
2.1.1.1 Place Names along the Main Trail through the ‘Ewa District
John Papa ‘Ī‘ī (1959:96-98) described a network of trails through Leeward O‘ahu, which in
historic times encircled and traversed the Wai‘anae Range (Figure 8). The coastal trail, that
connected ‘Ewa with the Kona District to the east and the Wai‘anae District to the west, ran
along the inland boundary of the Pearl Harbor floodplain and irrigated taro fields of the
ahupua‘a of eastern ‘Ewa. This coastal trail was described by ‘Ī‘ī, who was traveling from
Honolulu, through the ‘Ewa District, and on to Wai‘anae:
…From there the trail went to Kaleinakauhane [Moanalua Ahupua‘a in the Kona
District], then to Kapukaki [Red Hill on the Moanalua / Hālawa boundary], from
where one could see the irregular sea of Ewa; then down the ridge to Napeha [in
Hālawa], a resting place for the multitude that went diving there at a deep pool.
This pool was named Napeha (Lean Over), so it is said, because Kaulii, a chief of
ancient Oahu, went there and leaned over the pool to drink water.
The trail began again on the opposite side of the pool and went to the lowland of
Halawa, on to Kauwamoa, a diving place and a much-liked gathering place. It was
said to be the diving place of Peapea, son of Kamehamehanui of Maui who was
swift in running and leaping. The place from which he dove into the water was 5
to 10 fathoms above the pool.
There the trail led to the taro patches in Aiea and up the plain of Kukiiahu. Just
below the trail was the spot where Kaeo, chief of Kaua‘i, was killed by
Kalanikupule. From there the trail went along the taro patches to the upper part of
Kohokoho and on to Kahuewai [in Kalauao], a small waterfall. On the high
ground above, a little way on, was a spring, also a favorite gathering place for
travelers. From there it continued over a small plain down the small hill of
Waimalu, and along the taro patches that lay in the center of the land…
Archaeological Inventory Survey Plan, HHCTCP Construction Phase II, Waiawa, Mānana, Waimano, Waiau,
Waimalu, Kalauao, ‘Aiea, and Hālawa Ahupua‘a, ‘Ewa District, Island of O‘ahu
TMK[1] 9-7, 9-8, and 9-9 - Various Plats and Parcels
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