Na Wahi Pana o Kaʻū Nei.
Cover Image: Masthead of Ka Nupepa Kuokoa published on May 13, 1871.
Aloha Nūhou Monday!
Dear Reader,
Communities across Hawaiʻi are still recovering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Lala. To the people rebuilding their homes and restoring their beloved ʻāina—we send our aloha to you.
Here is an article published in Nupepa Kuokoa that recalls some of the famous places in Kaʻū Hawaiʻi, written by P. M. Malumalu on April 21, 1871.
Image: Kaʻū coast looking south, n.d. Kaʻū, Hawaiʻi Island, Hawaiʻi. Bishop Museum Archives, SP 200214.
Image sharing on social media is welcome. For all other uses please contact Archives@BishopMuseum.org.
Image: Image sharing on social media is welcome. For all other uses please contact Archives@BishopMuseum.org.
Storied Places Here in Kaʻū
To the Nupepa Kuokoa; Aloha ʻoe:–
May you and your editor, along with the boys of the Printing House who set the lead type, kindly state within your telegraph cable (that being our newspaper), that runs here and there across our Hawaiian Islands, of which the words placed upon the header of this essay belong:
The Storied Places of Ka Lae Here in Kaʻū.
Famous is this cape of Kaʻū, this is the cape that lies on the southeast side of Kaʻū, this place where the ‘ahi kananā (feisty ʻahi) reside—the famous fish of this place—the name of the fishing shrine however is Mānā.
Of Palahemo.
Famous is this place called Palahemo. It is a deep saltwater pool. It is located far inland. Sometimes this saltwater pool is partially freshwater, and most of the time it is only saltwater. When it is rained on, the kamaʻāina will eventually have cool drinking water that is dropped down by the pattering rain atop the saltwater pool. At that time, the children, women, and men are forbidden from bathing in that freshwater pool and from leaping into it, lest the saltwater burst up and the freshwater becomes too brackish, because it is the water drunk by the kamaʻāina here in Ka Lae. This is indeed a deep pool, the bottom would not be hit if one jumped in—This is the place of where it is said, “They have returned to Kaʻū, to Palahemo,” (This is said for the dead.)
The Footprints of Kana.
This Kana is a famous kupua1 of this place, from old times to the present. Therefore, the footprints where he once stepped still remain. When they come to Ka Lae, those who go sightseeing will see them. This is the kupua whose legend was published in an earlier newspaper.2
1Kupua is often translated as demigod or supernatural being.
2Kana and his brother Niheu appear in the story of Kapepeʻekauila which runs in the Kuokoa from 9/23/1865 to 9/30/1865, as told by W. K. Poniuniu of Lahainaluna.
Image: Fossil footprints in a region west of Mauna Iki to Kaʻū desert. Photo taken by Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, July 20, 1921. Kaʻū, Hawaiʻi Island, Hawaiʻi. Bishop Museum Archives, SP 115324.
Image sharing on social media is welcome. For all other uses please contact Archives@BishopMuseum.org.
Image: Image sharing on social media is welcome. For all other uses please contact Archives@BishopMuseum.org.
Of Lono’s Dog.
This is indeed a kupua that is famous here. It is a stone figure, inside the shore break. It looks much like a dog’s head. The visitors come to see this place at the direction of the kamaʻāina.
The Eel and Rat.
Their stone figures still remain here. They are indeed kupua that were seen in old times, and they performed extraordinary feats during that age. Similar in appearance to an eel and a rat, their stone figures can still be seen as they remain.
The Great Kite of Kaʻiwaʻiwa.
A fine looking large, flat stone remains, and according to the teaching of those knowledgeable, it was a kite belonging to a kupua of those days, Kaʻiwaʻiwa. Upon inspection of this stone slab, the figure of Kaʻiwaʻiwa’s kite was truly handsome, splendid, sleek, and oval-shaped.
Wai Kuʻi a Kamehameha I. (The Waters Pounded for by Kamehameha I.)
The commoners have been burdened to excavate this stone slab to get water, because of the false instruction of Aa that there was water. He told Kamehameha I, “There is water under this stone slab.” Because of what the chief had heard, he burdened the commoners with removing the stones. His actions remain as something famous in that area.
The Fishermen of Makaliʻi.
These fishermen, Ieiea and Poʻopalu, are kupua. Here they are in the sea where they reside, like a couple of rocks, in their ʻōpelu fishing grounds. This is the spot where ʻōpelu is fished for by the fishermen.
Kalelea Heiau.
This is a heiau where fire is worshipped, and the deity is Pele. It is there that pigs are baked, ʻawa is drunk, and necessary things are carried out. This type of worship has been performed since the olden days until today.
Image: Drawing of Kalelea Heiau. Kaʻū, Hawaiʻi Island, Hawaiʻi. Bishop Museum Archives, SP 3372C.
Image sharing on social media is welcome. For all other uses please contact Archives@BishopMuseum.org.
Image: Image sharing on social media is welcome. For all other uses please contact Archives@BishopMuseum.org.
The Cliff of Mōlīlele.
This is a very high cliff, it is however similar to a portion of the cliff of Kaholo, on Lānaʻi, and the portion of the cliff on Lānaʻi is very tall, however, just by looking at these cliffs it is high, and the wind blows just by looking down.
Image: The remains of Mōlīlele Heiau, on the bluff above the place where Kūlani Pali meets the sea looking north, December 20, 1930. Kaʻū, Hawaiʻi Island, Hawaiʻi. Bishop Museum Archives, SP 15759.
Image sharing on social media is welcome. For all other uses please contact Archives@BishopMuseum.org.
Image: Image sharing on social media is welcome. For all other uses please contact Archives@BishopMuseum.org.
The Land is Good.
Some of the land is flat, no cliffs, no dangerous deep valleys, the condition of this place is the same as the condition of the place here in Ka Lae. Well suited for raising animals, sheep, goats, pigs, and perhaps even turkey.
Here I am concluding my thoughts, the desire of those who are fond of news has been satisfied. With the editor goes my cool aloha, and for the boys who set the type, my gratitude.
Sincerely,
P. M. Malumalu
Kaʻū, Hawaiʻi, April 21, 1871.
This post is part of He Aupuni Palapala: Preserving and Digitizing the Hawaiian Language Newspapers, a partnership between Bishop Museum and Awaiaulu with assistance from Kamehameha Schools. Mahalo nui loa to Hawaii Tourism Authority for their support. Learn more about this project here.
