Thursday, July 31, 2008

Planned Huakaʻi's for Fall 2008



Kahuwai with archaeologist Keone Kalawe.

At the time of the Mahele in 1848, the ahupua‘a of Kahuwai was granted to Victoria Kamāmalu, the daughter of Kīna‘u and Kekūanāo‘a. Kamāmalu inherited the lands of her mother Kīna‘u and Ka‘ahumanu. Kamāmalu’s lands were the inheritance of the kuhina nui and were part of the largest single award of lands at the Mahele. Upon Victoria’s death in 1866, the lands were passed to her brother Lot Kamehameha and then to Princess Ruth Ke‘elikōlani in 1872. Upon Princess Ruth’s death in 1883, Kahuwai was passed to Bernice Pauahi Bishop and became part of her perpetual estate in 1887. 

Today, the land is managed by the Kamehameha Schools, Land Assets Division. The village settlement at Kapele Bay evolved over hundreds of years of continuous occupation. Little is known of its early history. The rocky bay provided coastal access and may have served as a place to launch and land canoes used to fish the rich windward shoreline.

Early settlement may have evolved around the bay and expanded inland with a mix of house sites, agricultural fields, trails, heiau, burials and other sites. It is clear from the density of sites and structures that Kahuwai was well populated and that both lawai‘a (fishing) and mahi ‘ai (farming) were important parts of daily life. The large size of some walls and trails may also indicate an ali‘i presence in the village that could direct the building of large structures. 

The first written accounts of life at Kahuwai come from the Rev. William Ellis, who traveled around the island in 1823. His journal indicates that 150 people gathered to hear him speak at Kahuwai. Subsequent research in tax records show 17 households paying taxes from Kahuwai in 1863. Twenty years later in 1882 only two households were reported. Permanent residency at Kahuwai may have ended in the early 1900s.

(from Imua April 2004)


Monday, July 14, 2008


View the Kahu Kuʻuna: Cultural Resource Stewardship A.A. Program Flyer

Friday, July 11, 2008

Kaʻū Kiʻekiʻe Summer Bridge 2008

These photos represent some of the activities in a two-week summer class held in Pahala for residents of the Kaʻū area. Classes were held in the newly renovated Pahala Clubhouse. Students met from 8:00am to 1:00pm each day and 
explored the connections between Hawaiians and their surrounding environment. The class, Kahu Kuʻuna I: Natural and Cultural Resource Stewardship, allowed students to develop and regain their understanding of the unique relationship that Hawaiians maintain with the elements and each other.

Using this as a foundation, students then explore the world of Cultural Resource Management (CRM) and see how this cultural foundation can define how they can bridge traditional perspectives and stewardship methods with the ever-changing landscapes to become more efficient stewards towards realizing our kuleana here to Hawaiʻi.

The Kaʻū area is rich with natural and cultural resources that are constantly under the threat of encroaching development. The residents of Kaʻū are known to be fierce in the face of adversity. This class will provide the students and the community with an additional tool to further assist them in their struggle to keep Kaʻū as pristine and free from the rampant irresponsible processes associated with development. Awareness and pro-activeness are important steps towards being able to maintain our cultural foundations for future generations.