Kaka'ako Makai
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OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS RESEARCH DIVISION Kaka‘ako Makai Kaka‘ako, Honolulu, O‘ahu. By Holly K. Coleman On April 11, 2012, Senate Bill 2783 was signed into law by Governor Neil Abercrombie. The law transfered 30 acres of land on O‘ahu in the area known as Kaka‘ako Makai from the State of Hawai‘i to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA). This transfer settles claims of back-rent owed to OHA for the state’s use of ceded lands at state airports, affordable housing projects, and state–run hospi- tals from 1978 to 2012. The lands transferred to OHA are valued at $200 million. Kaka‘ako Makai remains a vital cultural and historical re- source for Native Hawaiians and the broader community. The goal of this Information Sheet is to explore some of cultural and historical narratives surrounding Kaka‘ako. OHA seeks to steward these lands in a way that fulfills our kuleana (reciprocal responsibility) to Native Hawaiians and honors Kaka‘ako as wahi pana (storied, noted, legend- ary place). In particular, the parcels at Kaka‘ako Makai represent an important opportunity for OHA to develop and implement strategies that are rooted in traditional Na- tive Hawaiian cultural practices and informed by Native Hawaiian epistemologies in ways that cultivate meaning- ful and impactful stewardship. Left: The makai areas depicted include the areas presently known as Kaka‘ako. Engraving by Paul Emmert, 1854: No. 3 View of Honolulu from the Catholic Church Research Division Land, Culture, and History Section Information Sheet, May 2012 Office of Hawaiian Affairs 560 N. Nimitz Hwy, Suite 200, Honolulu, HI 96817 www.oha.org 1 OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS RESEARCH DIVISION The Traditional Environment and Landscapes of the Kaka‘ako Area In the past, Kaka‘ako was the name of a point of land and was also known as an ‘äpana (land parcel) and ‘ili (land section)(Kanepuu, 1877). However, the larger area was formerly known as Kuku- luäe‘o in the east and Ka‘äkaukukui (named for a reef which is now filled-in) to the west. The mauka (inland) area was generally known as Kewalo (Pukui et al. 1974). The coastal areas of Ka- ka‘ako and Kewalo were well known for brackish marshes, fresh water springs, salt pans, and small fish- ponds (Pukui et. al, 1974). A painting depicting the marshy lands of Kewalo. D. H. Hitchcock (1917). Round Top from Kewa- Both areas were notable for lo. From Maxon, H. H. in D. Hitchcock. ( 1987). Islander. Honolulu, Topgallant Pub. Co. containing ‘ili lele (parcels that are geographically sepa- rated but considered a part of Selected Place Names of the Kaka‘ako Area one ‘ili). The fertile mauka ‘Auwaiolimu Kaholoakeähole Kuloloia lands of Nu‘uanu and Pauoa Honoka‘upu Kaka‘ako Mämala held lo‘i kalo (irrigated taro fields) and ‘uala (sweet pota- Honolulu Kawailumamuma‘i Päkäkä to), while the makai Honuakaha Kewalo Püowaina (seaward) areas were rich fisheries (Handy and Handy, Kaaiopua Kou Pu‘unui 1991). Ka‘äkaukukui Kukuluäe‘o Waikahalulu Kaka‘ako as a Place Name Pukui et. al (1974) note that the word Käkä‘äko can be translated as dull or slow, which may refer to the large quantities of slow–moving, standing water for which the area was known. Another translation of the name Käkäako could refer to the preparation of thatching; marshy areas like Ka- ka‘ako were often ideal for collecting pili grass used for thatching (Thrum, 1922). Sketch of “Honolulu Beach” by G. H. Burgess in the mid 1850s. Reprint in Scott 1968: 575 2 Office of Hawaiian Affairs 560 N. Nimitz Hwy, Suite 200, Honolulu, HI 96817 www.oha.org OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS RESEARCH DIVISION Selected Mo‘olelo: Kaka‘ako, Mämala, Kou, and Kewalo The historical presence of ali‘i and kahuna, as well as the rich fisheries drew lawai‘a (fishermen) to Kaka‘ako, and reflected the historical significance of the area within Native Hawaiian society. In fact, Kaka‘ako was part of a network of wahi pana. Kou Kou was a small vil- lage which was known to be the home of powerful kahuna lä‘au lapa‘au (medicinal healers) (Kamakau,1991). In the early 1800s, Kou was the home of the f am o us ka h u na Hewahewa (Ii, 1959). Kou was also a place for recreation among the ali‘i and was one of the most famous sites on O‘ahu for k ö n a n e a n d ‘ulumaika; people would travel to Kou to observe the match- es (Pukui et al. 1974). Map showing the settlements of fishermen and kahuna in Kaka‘ako about 1810 (Ii, 1959). Mämala Kewalo Mämala encompassed an area which stretched Kewalo was the location of a particular fish from Honolulu Harbor (which was also formerly pond which was fed by a fresh water spring known as Mämala) to Pu‘uloa (Pearl Harbor) known as Kawailumaluma‘i, or “drowning (Pukui et al, 1974). Mämala was named after a waters.” This was a place where kauwä powerful shark kupua (demigoddess) and chiefess (outcasts of the lowest class in Hawaiian so- who was known to frequent the area with her hus- ciety) were drowned as sacrifices; their band, ‘Ouha, to drink ‘awa, play könane, and surf corpses were taken to Känelä‘au Heiau on in the sea (Pukui et al, 1974). One mo‘olelo the slopes of Püowaina (Punchbowl)(Sterling (history) recounts Mämala’s choice to leave her and Summers,1978). The famous ali‘i husband and dwell with the chief Honokaupu; Huanuiikaläla‘ila‘i (Hua-a-Pau), known for thereafter ‘Ouha abandoned his human form and his kindness and great intellect, was said to became a shark god of the waters between Wai- have been born in Kewalo (Kamakau, 1991). kïkï and Ka Lae o Koko (Koko Head) (Westervelt, Kewalo was also the home of a great pueo 1915). It also had several significant cultural sites, (owl) who became an akua for a man named such as the well–known heiau (place of worship) Kapo‘i. An epic battle to save Kapo‘i’s life Päkäkä, which was built by Kamaunuihalakaipo was fought in Nu‘uanu between the owls of for Küho‘one‘enu‘u, an ancient akua (god) of the five main Hawaiian Islands and the ar- O‘ahu ali‘i (chiefs) (Kamakau, 1991). mies of the ali‘i Käkuhihewa. Office of Hawaiian Affairs 560 N. Nimitz Hwy, Suite 200, Honolulu, HI 96817 www.oha.org 3 OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS RESEARCH DIVISION Engraving by Paul Emmert, 1854: No. 3 View of Honolulu from the Catholic Church. ‘Ölelo No‘eau: Wise Sayings Mo‘olelo of Akua in Kaka‘ako Native Hawaiian scholar Mary Kawena In his travels establishing fishing shrines in Ha- Pukui (1983) recorded many ‘ölelo no‘eau wai‘i, the god ‘Ai‘ai came to Kaka‘ako, where he (wise sayings) about surrounding areas was befriended by a man named Apua. ‘Ai‘ai took which had an impact on life in Kaka‘ako. a woman named Puiwa from Hänaiakamälama for his wife, and they had a son named Puniaiki. An- No Mämala: gered by his wife’s complaints one day, ‘Ai‘ai He kai ‘au kohana Mämala. A sea for swimming naked is Mämala. called upon his ancestors and caused a flood, People would travel naked along the reef to which carried Puniaiki toward the sea. Thereafter, avoid meeting an enemy on land. (Kamakau, ‘Ai‘ai left towards Kaumakapili. Puniaiki was- 1974: 44) caught as an ‘o‘opu (freshwater goby fish) and cared for by Kikihale, the daughter of the great No Kou: chief Kou (Thrum, 1907). Hui aku nä maka i Kou. The faces will meet in Kou. On her circuit of the Hawaiian Islands with her Kou was the place where the chiefs played companions, the goddess Hi‘iaka wished to travel games, and people came from everywhere to to Waikïkï from Pu‘uloa. In a chant, Hi‘iaka men- watch. (Pukui 1983, 120) tions a pond at Ka‘äkaukukui, perhaps referencing the salt ponds in the area (Cultural Surveys, 2009). No Kewalo: Ka wai huahua‘i o Kewalo. The Bubbling Water of Kewalo. Kewalo once had a large spring where many went for cool, refreshing water. (Pukui 1983, 178) No Honolulu: Ka lä ikiiki o Honolulu. The intensely warm days of Honolulu. People from the country often claim that Hono- lulu is excessively warm. (Pukui 1983: 154) Beechey, Richard B. “View near the Town of Honoruru, Sandwich Islands, 1826." 4 Office of Hawaiian Affairs 560 N. Nimitz Hwy, Suite 200, Honolulu, HI 96817 www.oha.org OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS RESEARCH DIVISION Timeline of Kaka‘ako Land Divisions During the Mid 1800s Development: The areas which make 1800s–1900s up present day Ka- ka‘ako were parceled 1853‒ A small pox out beginning in 1848 Quarantine Camp and during the Mähele, a hospital are set up in series of laws which Kaka‘ako. created legal mecha- nisms for land privati- 1857‒ Honolulu Fort zation in Hawai‘i. The is demolished, an es- whole ‘ili of Kewalo, planade is created at Kukul uäe‘ o, and Waikahalu‘u. Ka‘äkaukukui were awarded to individu- 1874‒ The Transit of Honolulu at 20 Queen Street, circa 1900. Photographer Unknown. Venus Observatory is als, while other ‘ili in Hawai‘i State Archives. built at ‘Äpua. the area, such as Ka- ka‘ako, Pualoalo, Pu‘unui, Ka‘ala‘a, ‘Auwaiolimu, Honuakaha, and 1874‒ Sand Island is ‘Äpua were divided among many applicants (EDAW, 2009). formed from dredging activities. Urbanization: Mid 1800s to Mid 1900s 1881‒ A hospital and Salt-making and fish- Receiving station for ing activities contin- Hansen’s Disease pa- ued in Kaka‘ako dur- tients is set up.