https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv The importance of Waikapū and Kahoʻolawe in Hawaiian History and Modernity en-us 2023-06-26 21:13:39 UTC 2026-01-03 07:45:38 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f334.png ccdiehl1 https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2632788106 In our moʻolelo, there are various origin stories of the islands of Hawaiʻi. And to understand the importance of the islands, it's essential to understand their origins in our traditional stories.

In Vol. 4 of Fornander's Collection of Hawaiian Antiquties, we find one of many versions of the origin stories of nā mokupuni.

"Maui was born an island, a land, a dwelling place for the children of Kamalalawalu."

"Keaukanai is the one who married, Married with Walinuu from Holani, The sacred semen of Uluhina. Kahoolawe was born a foundling...
When Walinuu gave birth to Kahoolawe, Uluhina was called upon to come and cut the navel of the child Kahoolawe, and when he came and had cut the navel, he took the placenta and girt it on as a loin cloth. He then threw it into the sea, and Molokini arose, formed from the afterbirth of Kahoolawe and the loincloth of Uluhina."

Fornander translates Kahoʻolawe as "the carrying away (by currents)" perhaps a nod to the usage by oceanic navigators in the early period of Hawaiian settlement.]]> 2023-06-26 21:44:36 UTC https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2632788106 ccdiehl1 https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2632792014 The districts and ahupuaʻa of Maui as well as an overview of Kahoʻolawe, which is within the Honuaʻula district of Maui. Molokini, which is mentioned to be created from the afterbirth of Kahoʻolawe, is the small red dot off the coast of the Honuaʻula distirct between Maui and Kahoʻolawe.

Over the centuries, Maui has also been called Kalua (the two), referring to the two peaks of West and East Maui that voyagers would see when sailing.

The name Ihikapalaumaewa has also been documented but the meaning of this name has been lost to time. Maui, comes from a high chief who is said to have unified the island for the first time.]]> 2023-06-26 21:55:59 UTC https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2632792014 ccdiehl1 https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2632794424 Another moʻolelo on the origins of the island and how it received the name Kanaloa comes from an 1867 article written by Samuel Kamakau,
"According to the moʻolelo of Kāne and Kanaloa, they were perhaps the first who kept gods to come to Hawiaʻi nei, and because of their mana, they were called gods. Kahoʻolawe was first named Kanaloa for his having first come there by way of Ke-ala-i-kahiki. From Kahoʻolawe, the two went to Kahikinui, Maui, where they opened up the fishpond of Kanaloa at Lua-laʻi-lua, and from them came the water of Kou at Kaupō."

Naming the island after a god becomes a physical manifestation of the god itself. The word Kanaloa also means "firm, immovable, and unconquerable." As you read more about this project, this is very true to the island's history.

There is also the name "Kohemalamalama." The meaning of this name is not settled, some translate it as "To your left and lit up," a combination of the words, ko (of), hema (left or south), and lama-lama (torch). She suggests a physical descriptor of what Kānaka saw when sailing to the island. Mary Kawena Pukui suggests the meaning "bright vagina," referencing "He Moʻolelo No Molokini." This is the moʻo goddess's sacred space, Puʻuoinaina. This may be why she was isolated on this island, to protect her innocence.]]> 2023-06-26 22:02:01 UTC https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2632794424 ccdiehl1 https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2632854097 Around the end of the 18th century, wars between Kahekili of Maui (and Kahoʻolawe, Lanaʻi, and Molokaʻi, which is partially why these islands are still within the Maui County today) and Kalaniopuʻu of Hawaii island.

The wars took a heavy toll on the people and environment of Kahoʻolawe, according to an account by George Vancouver, who narrated his expedition of 1793 and recorded the following,
"...The war, and the vast supplies that the half-famished trading vessels had recently drawn from these islands, had left a very scanty portion for the remaining inhabitants of [Maui], and the other islands under the authority of [Kahekili]...and that [Lanaʻi] and [Kahoʻolawe], which had formerly been considered as fruitful and populous islands, were nearly over-run with weeds, and exhausted of their inhabitants... The wars had so humbled and broken the people that little exertion had been made to restore these islands to their accustomed fertility by cultivation..."

Samuel Kamakau mentions, "In [Kamehamehaʻs]wars of conquest, Kamehameha and his fleet remained on Maui for a year feeding and clothing themselves with the wealth of Maui, Molokaʻi, Lanaʻi, and Kahoʻolawe."

These wars ended with the unification of all the Hawaiian islands in 1795.]]> 2023-06-27 00:16:58 UTC https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2632854097 ccdiehl1 https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2632858974 Kahoʻolawe was used as a penal colony in the early 1800s. This was seen as a way to handle troublesome foreigners and also Hawaiian nationals, the first two prisoners were sent to the island in 1826, a man for thievery and a woman for "prostitution and defiance of all law."

Over the years many were threatened with exile but few would serve the sentence as it was either ignored or overruled by a chief. There were two chiefs sentenced to exile on Kahoʻolawe, but only one, Kinimaka (found guilty of forgery of a will), sailed to Kahoʻolawe and served three years.

Supplies for prisoners were scarce they were forced to eat kupala, or pigweed, which caused extreme discomfort when eaten in excess. Eventually prisoners became desparate enough that fifteen created a makeshift raft to sail to Maui and collect supplies for the remaining prisoners on Kahoʻolawe. They also claimed some canoes to help them sail back.

They would continue to do this for roughly 2 years and gained a fearful reputation on Maui and by 1853, Kahoʻolawe was abandoned completely as a penal colony.]]> 2023-06-27 00:21:46 UTC https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2632858974 ccdiehl1 https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2632863796 Kahoʻolawe declared as part of government lands after the Mahele of 1848 and was used as a sheep ranch from 1858 until World War 2. The population of Kahoʻolawe sharply declined after this decision, from 50 in 1858 to only 16 people in 1866. This population did not include prisoners, only ranch employees.

Ranchers faced many problems, including water and agricultural scarcity, partially caused by the sheep and goats they shepherded. The animals would eat native plants who helped retain ground water and prevent further soil erosion, therefore exacerbating the dryness.

Yet reports from the earliest days of ranching show usable soil in the northern part of the island. There are also records of pineapple, tobacco, and calabash along the seashore.]]> 2023-06-27 00:26:20 UTC https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2632863796 ccdiehl1 https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2632879094 After the Cheifs' wars and prior to 1858, Kahoʻolawe housed a semi-permanent population who depended heavily on fishing and agriculture. Vegetables and sweet potatoes were primary crops, taro did not grow on Kahoʻolawe and many would trade fish on Maui to acquire poi or paʻiʻai.

While the population was considered semi-permanent, Kahoʻolawe was not abandoned or vacant as many foreign account report. Kānaka would leave the island during the winter season and periods of heavy, torrential rains.

Despite these heavy rains, fresh water on Kahoʻolawe was rare and would dry up by summer.]]> 2023-06-27 00:39:30 UTC https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2632879094 ccdiehl1 https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2633018394 For a short period, a school on Kahoʻolawe enrolled up to fifty adults and children, to teach them how to read and write in Hawaiian. This school was endorsed by missionaries in Lahaina and was an effort to further spread the word of the church through literacy. There is little known about this school, whether they met in a formal building, out in the open, or within a church that was said to be there at one time, is not known.]]> 2023-06-27 02:49:10 UTC https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2633018394 ccdiehl1 https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2633034567 There was a very short period of time when conservation of native plants on Kahoʻolawe became a focal point but it was quickly abandoned due to the chronic problem of sheep and goats eating the plant life and large costs of relocating them.]]> 2023-06-27 03:04:14 UTC https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2633034567 ccdiehl1 https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2633042156 Kahoʻolawe Ranch subleased to the U.S. Army with hopes of the U.S. Army eliminating the livestock as a side effect of their bombing exercises there. In 1953, the Army transferred their lease to the U.S. Navy.]]> 2023-06-27 03:11:05 UTC https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2633042156 ccdiehl1 https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2633082620 There has been some archaeological evidence that supports the importance Kahoʻolawe held to Polynesian navigators. Patrick Kirch describes the following in his book," A Shark Going Inland is My Chief."

In 1934, small adze flakes were found on coral atolls in Tuamotu and cataloged into the collection of Bishop Museum here in Honolulu. Later in 1989, these fragments were analyzed and found to originate from Laekealaikahiki, Kahoʻolawe. Despite being made of Hawaiian basalt, it was not created in a Hawaiian style or carving technique but a technique familiar to Society Islands.

One hypothesis is as follows, "Rock from Kahoʻolawe may thus have been taken as a gift or memento (as is done today by traditional voyagers) or used as ballast, and fashioned into adzes in Tuamotus."

Regardless of the use, this evidence confirmed two-way journeys between Hawaiʻi and greater polynesia, eliminating the idea of a one-way, one-time trip.]]> 2023-06-27 03:59:15 UTC https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2633082620 ccdiehl1 https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2633090222 Kealaikahiki is the name of one of the ʻili of Kahoʻolawe as well as translating as "The Path to Kahiki". Kahiki is usually translated as Tahiti but generally refers to a place far away, real or in myth.

This location was important to Hawaiians as it offered a launching point for voyagers heading south to Tahiti, almost a direct route. Kahoʻolawe was also used as a training area for new navigators learning the stars and oceans. Now with the revival of navigation, this area has once again become a place of practice and offerings for Hawaiian navigators.]]> 2023-06-27 04:10:02 UTC https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2633090222 ccdiehl1 https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2633136141 This part of Kahoʻolawe's history is probably the most infamous. Kahoʻolawe was used as a military training ground for forty-five years where they executed various exercises, including the use of biological weapons in preparation for the Vietnam War. Kahoʻolawe would eventually be nicknamed "The Bullseye of the Pacific," due to the extreme abuse it endured during its military exploitation.

Unfortunately the rampant bombings have destroyed a lot of structures, modern and historical, which may impact our understanding of traditional uses of Kahoʻolawe today. It also prevents major archaeological investigation because of the many unexploded ordinances on the island.]]> 2023-06-27 05:00:21 UTC https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2633136141 ccdiehl1 https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2633149364 In 1976, Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana (PKO) staged an occupation of Kahoʻolawe as part of an effort to demilitarize the island and return it to the people of Hawaiʻi. A group of roughly 50 people sailed from Maui hoping to land on Kahoʻolawe, many were arrested, and some served as distractions only. 

Nine people landed on Kahoʻolawe in January 1976 and began the occupation. Two members of the group, George Helm and Kimo Mitchell, left the island at one point, in hopes of securing more supplies to bring back with them, but they were never seen again and assumed to have perished in the stormy seas that day.

Throughout that occupation, bombing practices were still being executed. In the video above, a reunion of the PKO group on Kahoʻolawe years later, now without fear of arrest, the members mention the sound of bombs overhead as they sought shelter and ran supplies to other members.

This marked a turning point for the occupation of Kahoʻolawe and the U.S. Navy was ordered to release an environmental impact statement, but bombing would not cease for another fourteen years.]]> 2023-06-27 05:12:00 UTC https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2633149364 ccdiehl1 https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2633158424 In 1993, the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission was created to help manage and conserve the island and begin to escort Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners onto the island.

Today, the KIRC has done significant work in restoring the island's watersheds, plant life, and archaeological sites. In a final report submitted to Congress in 1993, they have plans to create a small visitors center, ship docks, and living facilities for volunteers.]]> 2023-06-27 05:20:11 UTC https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2633158424 ccdiehl1 https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2633178456 Waikapū is one of the Nā Wai ʻEha (Four Waters) of Maui. These four streams (Waikapū, Waiheʻe, Wailuku, and Waiehu) were once the lifeblood of many taro plantations on Maui, including one that my great-great grandparents worked on.

Maui housed the largest continuous loʻi, over 3,000 acres in 1848. It also had the largest concentration of heiau in Maui, and was the primary political and ritual center on the island, with famous battles in antiquity.]]> 2023-06-27 05:43:26 UTC https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2633178456 ccdiehl1 https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2633184022 Waikapū is documented as one of the earliest places that foreigners settled after Captain Cook "discovered" Hawaiʻi. By 1823, there is already record of foreign sugar farmers.

"In addition to kalo, there was some early growing of sugar at Waikapū, perhaps by Anthony (Antonio) Sylva or by Antonio (Antone) Catalina. One 1823 report says that Catalina made 'an excellent syrup.'"]]> 2023-06-27 05:51:43 UTC https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2633184022 ccdiehl1 https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2633211731 Wailuku Sugar Plantation is founded in 1862 and almost immediately, locals start seeing diminishing water, effecting their crops and lifestyle. Land is disturbed and displaced to dig lines for the plantations, and many families leave Waikapū around this time as they can no longer make a living. My family left Waikapū around 1845 and moved to Molokaʻi.

The above article, from Pacific Commercial Advertiser, April 15, 1863 reads,

"The valleys of Waikapū, Waiheʻe and Waiehu are becoming encroached upon by the energy of the foreigner in developing their cane-bearing powers. The ancestral kalo patches are being filled up, or shut in, so that it is impossible to get to the mountains for wood, except through lands which have been leased. The right of way for their fuel, is virtually closed, unless the paikalo is sold to the lessee. Does not “custom” allow the native to obtain wood for cooking, where he has always been entitled to it, and also his tī leaves with which he wraps his bundles, without being clogged with a proviso that he shall dispose of his produce, benefitting on party only? If the question was left to a jury of hungry natives from Wailuku to Kaupō to decide, it would not be difficult to imagine the verdict. A bundle of 25 lbs. of paikalo for 25 cts.! Shade of Kamehameha the Great!! Defend us!!!"]]> 2023-06-27 06:26:28 UTC https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2633211731 ccdiehl1 https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2633247614 Wailuku Sugar diversified their business in the 80s, seeking to expand their portfolio to other crops but this proved unsuccessful. They sold 5,000 acres to developers in 2001, and became Wailuku Water Company in 2004 so they could continue their water diversion.]]> 2023-06-27 07:07:39 UTC https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2633247614 ccdiehl1 https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2633249368 "Regarding all of Waikapū--Waikapū is a pleasant place to live however the plants only grow half as well because of the insufficient supply of water, due to the drought these days. Taro patches have dried up, the earth has cracked. The sugarcane belonging to the plantation here in Waikapū has not dried up because they have a little water. Only in a few places do they dry."

]]> 2023-06-27 07:10:03 UTC https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2633249368 ccdiehl1 https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2633254979 "The Waiheʻe Canal was started in June 1905 and completed in May 1907. The cost was $160,000." -Sugar Water by Carol Wilcox.

This canal is one of the most infamous of the numerous canals created by the plantations for water usage as it cut through all four of the major streams of West Maui. This ditch would also be used in the future to supply water to Wailuku Water Company.]]> 2023-06-27 07:17:34 UTC https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2633254979 ccdiehl1 https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2633263109 For over 100 years, the Waikapū stream was 100% diverted through the Waiheʻe Canal, which diverted water to agricultural fields, sugar plantations, and in modernity: golf courses and resorts. The kuleana of Wailuku Water today is similar, in theory, to konohiki in feudal Hawaiʻi. They are responsible for stewarding the local resources and ensuring each hoaʻāina can access them. But by diverting the water for the sake of profits while citizens experience shortages and can be fined for using water "in excess." Although residential households have rations placed on their water usage, resorts, hotels, and golf courses are not required to alter their water usage, despite these large corporations using far more water than Maui residents and paying 460 times less per gallon.]]> 2023-06-27 07:28:44 UTC https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2633263109 ccdiehl1 https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2633269128 Both places have been plagued by occupation, abuse, and overuse of natural resources, dramatically altering the physical appearance of these places compared to what they were two-hundred years ago.

Despite these conflicts, Kānaka Maoli has continued overcoming adversity and practicing traditional arts like voyaging, kalo farming, and more. There is an increased emphasis on reviving and recentering these concepts today in the midst of a second wave of Hawaiian Renaissance knowledge.

Navigators have begun to practice on Kahoʻolawe again and activists are fighting for water rights and for Wailuku Water Company to allocate water usage responsibly.]]> 2023-06-27 07:37:01 UTC https://padlet.com/ccdiehl1/d47xntoqehq8rtiv/wish/2633269128