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Waikiki: Early History
Transition to Enchantment
| Mention the word 'Waikiki,' and you will surely inspire poetry from most
people around the world. Google the word, and you'll find the first page
studded with descriptions: world-famous, playground, relaxation, recreation,
tourist mecca, great beach, sand and warm blue waters, Aloha to the World,
and Gateway for Hawai'i.
But as is the case with so much that is known of Hawai'i, there is much, much more to Waikiki. This is the first of a four part series on the history of this enchanted place. AHA will provide its own depiction of the history of Waikiki, in "Waikiki The Enchantment", at Chabot College in Hayward on January 10, 2009. Buy tickets today
Early History
In
geological terms, the area now called "Waikiki" was once a vast
marshland. Originally covering over 2,000 acres, it was a much larger area
than the 1.5 square miles it encompasses today, and included the neighboring
Manoa and Palolo valleys. It was a drainage basin for the water that fell
on the Ko'olau Mountain Range to the north. Waikiki translates as "spouting
water," an appropriate description for the intensity of the river and
spring waters that flowed through the marshes of Waikiki out to the sea.
 | | Photo
of Waikiki's lo'i (taro fields) in the early 1900's. |
Following
the arrival of early Hawaiian settlers around 600 A.D, the marsh was transformed
into hundreds of taro fields, fish ponds and gardens. In the late 1400s,
Chief Kalamakua designed an irrigation system to take advantage of Waikiki's
abundant resources. In the 1450s, Waikiki was established as the governing
center of O'ahu.
Although
the fish ponds were controlled by the chiefs, they were maintained by the
common people. The ponds were a "royal icebox" with food readily
available for guests, especially those who were unexpected.
Ancient Hawaiians believed these fish ponds were inhabited by mo'o,
deities who were sometimes described as lizard-like creatures of monstrous
size between 12 and 30 feet long, with glistening black bodies. It was believed
they were the guardian spirits of fish ponds, who not only protected pond
caretakers but also punished those who abused their responsibilities.
Kalia
The sea at Waikiki teemed with fish, eels, shrimp, lobster, octopus, crab and limu (seaweed). One especially rich point along the shore was called "Kalia." The Kalia fishermen even became known as "human fishnets." As recently as the 1930s, residents of Kalia described the area as "one of the most productive seafood producing bays ever known." In season, they would catch thousands of white crabs on the beach by the bucket full. Sadly, the sea at Waikiki today is almost barren.
Ulukou
In the 1600s, the ancient chief Kakuhihewa established his residence at Ulukou, located on the grounds of what is now the Moana Surfrider Hotel. He is credited with planting the first coconuts that grew into the 10,000 trees of the royal Helumoa Grove.
Not far from that spot are the Healing or Wizard Stones of Kapaemahu. According to Hawaiian legend, these stones were placed in tribute to four kahuna la'au lapa'au, or healers, who came to Hawai'i from Tahiti long before the reign of King Kakuhihewa in the 16th century. The four were famous for their kindly nature and healing powers. After years of treating both royalty and the common people of O'ahu, they decided to return home.
The healers asked the people to erect four monuments made of bell stone, a basalt rock that produced a bell-like tone when struck; they then spent a month in rituals to transfer their spiritual healing power, or mana, to the stones. Thousands of people were directed to move these stones, which weighed as much as eight tons, during the night. How this was accomplished with no wheeled vehicles or animals to help them remains a mystery. Hawaiian royalty came here to relax even into the 19th century.
 | | Bathers
at Kawehewehe come to be healed of their ills (photo early 1900's). |
Kawehewehe
Another of Waikiki's places of healing was a stretch of beach called Kawehewehe (or the removal), in front of the Halekulani Hotel. The sick and the injured would bathe in the waters of the sea there. They might have worn a seaweed lei of limu kala and left it in the water as a symbol of the asking of forgiveness for past sins, which was believed to be the cause of many illnesses.
Heiau in Waikiki
In ancient times, there were at least two heiau, or temples, located near
the shoreline in this area. One was Kupalaha [at Queen's Surf Beach]. It
may have functioned in conjunction with the famous Papa'ena'ena heiau, where
it is believed the last human sacrifice in Waikiki was made by Kamehameha
I. The other heiau was Makahuna [near the foot of Diamond Head]. This one
was dedicated to Kanaloa, the god of the seas, and was tended to by fishermen
and seamen.
Yet another heiau was found in the vicinity, on the slopes of Diamond
Head. It was dedicated to he'e nalu, or surfing. Temple priests
would fly a kite to notify the villagers on the shore of surf conditions.
Each type of surf had a special name, and the most famous in Waikiki was
Kalehuawehe or "take off the lehua." It was named after an incident
involving a legendary hero who took off his lei of lehua blossoms to give
to the wife of a ruling chief, with whom he was surfing truly
the stuff of romantic legends! Surfing
Waikiki
 | | Illustration
of surfers at Waikiki. |
Waikiki has been a popular surfing spot from ancient times. This was one
of the reasons why the chiefs of old made their homes and headquarters in
Waikiki for hundreds of years. However, although surfing has been called
"the sport of kings," in ancient times everyone surfed: young
and old, men and women, commoners and chiefs. Freed from the responsibility
of working in the fields, the chiefs were naturally the best surfers. Certain
areas were reserved exclusively for them pity the commoner who
was caught riding a "royal wave." |
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Learn more about
AHA's upcoming Ho'ike (show) |
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Patricia
Ravarra
Writer | Kanitha
Soukhamthath
Editor
in
Chief | Kamali'i
Bingham
Publisher |
Comments?
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an
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AHA |
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| | Announcement |
|
 AHA wahine and keiki groups took 1st Place at Ia Oe E Ka La Hula Competition
in Pleasanton, CA
(Nov 1-2, 2009). Maika'i no!!
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"Waikiki The Enchantment"
January 10, 2009 8PM
Chabot College Performing Arts Center, Hayward, CA
Tickets: AHAhula.com
For ticket inquiries including VIP ticket benefits, group rates, or to arrange in-person purchase, call Nina at (510) 798-2445 or email nina@academyofhawaiianarts.org.
AHA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. All proceeds benefit AHA's ongoing cultural programs.
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