KOʻOLAU ʻĀINA INVENTORY

Koʻolaupoko & Koʻolauloa Moku, Oʻahu  -  Kamehameha Schools

 “Nā Pali Hāuliuli o ke Koʻolau”, the title of this ʻĀina Inventory, is an ʻōlelo noʻeau (Hawaiian proverb) that can be translated as “[t]he dark hills of Koʻolau” and refers to “the hills and cliffs of the windward side of Oʻahu are always dark an beautiful with trees and shrubs” (Pukui 1983:249, #2285). The Koʻolau District is a verdant and bountiful landscape comprised of both the moku of Koʻolaupoko and Koʻolauloa. The name Koʻolaupoko translates literally as “the short windward”, in contrast with Oʻahu’s northeastern windward district known as Koʻolauloa, “the long windward” (Pukui et al. 1974:117). While the reasoning behind the naming of this moku is unknown, it is speculated that the name reflects the relatively short distance from the sea to the cliffs of the Koʻolaupoko Mountain Range. Often, the Ko‘olaupoko and Ko‘olauloa Districts are referred to as a cohesive land region due to their comparable geography featuring high-peaked mountains, extensive deep valleys, broad and productive coastal plains, and streams that supplied water to upland crops such as kalo (taro), ʻuala (sweet potato), uhi (yam), maiʻa (banana), wauke (paper mulberry), olonā (native shrub) and ‘awa (kava) (Handy 1940:75,131). However, there are notable variations in the topography of these two districts. Within the moku of Koʻolauloa, the thirty-two ahupuaʻa extend from Kaʻaʻawa to Waimea and are characterized by low mountains, deep valleys, and a narrow coastline. Despite a relatively drier climate, Koʻolauloa historically supported many spring-fed loʻi kalo (irrigated taro terraces) and abundant fishing along the coastline. Moʻolelo within this district often reference the deity Kamapuaʻa, along with the gods Kāne and Kanaloa, who were responsible for creating springs and fishing, as well as manō kanaka (shark gods and shark men). Within the moku of Koʻolaupoko, eleven ahupuaʻa form a continuous coastal plain stretching from Waimānalo to Kualoa, renowned for tall-peaked mountains and abundant freshwater (Handy 1940:94; Landgraf 1994:v). Koʻolaupoko historically boasted high agricultural productivity with extensive loʻi (irrigated terraces) and over thirty fishponds, making it a primary population center on Oʻahu before the Māhele (Handy 1940:86; Handy et al. 1972:153, 247, 271-272). This district was sacred to chiefs, served as the residence of the voyaging chief Laʻamaikahiki, and was associated with deities like Kaulu and Kamapuaʻa (Landgraf 1994:36-38; Kamakau 2011:88- 89, 105-110,115; Kalākaua 1972: 125;135 Pukui, Elbert, Mookini 1974: 154 Sterling and Summers 1978: 163-164,190, 231, 232; “Na Wahi Pana o Ewa” in Ka Loea Kalaiaina Aug. 19, 26, 1899; Fornander 1919 Vol. V.:320; Maly and Maly 2003:18-21).