Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 5, Number 3, 1 March 1988 — Future of Historic 40-Acre Property Explored [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Future of Historic 40-Acre Property Explored

Kahuwai is Best Example of a Hawaiian Village

By Linda Kawai'ono Dclaney Land Officer The road to Kahuwai is makai of Pahoa — traced by a gentle climb through grassy hills, then dropping into a volcanic plain, and, suddenly, entering the deep shadows of Puna forest land. The eontrasts are sharp and abrupt. Travelling through this same area during her legendary quest for Lohiau, Pele's sister Hi'iaka had reminded herself: "£ nihi ka hele i ka uka o Puna; Be alert and mindful of the way in the Puna uplands; Mai 'ako i ka pua, Never take a flower O lilo i ke ala o ka hewahewa. " Or be lost on the path of error. On this day, no one would be lost. We would find new friends and another pieee of the Hawaiian past. At the invitation of Bishop Estate/Kamehameha Schools (BE/KS), the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Land Division recently visited the ancient village of Kahuwai in the Puna District outside of Hilo. Arranged by BE/KS Neighbor Island Land Manager Lurline Salvador, the visiting group included na kupuna Minnie and William Kaawaloa, Mrs. Nani Whitney, her daughter, Mrs. Nani Camacho, and State Historic Preservation Office archaeologist Dr. Ross Cordy. The group was invited to share thoughts and information regarding the future of the historic 40-acre property. As explored and mapped by long-time resident and lessee John Orr, Kahuwai represents one of the best surviving examples of a Hawaiian village— including shoreline eanoe sheds, housesites, walled planting areas, heiau, and probable platform graves. One of the most unusual features of the property is an elevated food storage area comprised of 40 rock-lined pits. In fact, as discussed by Mrs. Whitney and Mrs. Kaawaloa — this "kahu'ai" area may be the actual name source of the area. However, as remembered by Mrs. Whitney, there was also a landmark rock whieh sat on the black sand beach below the village area. A natural eup in the rock always held water, and it was this quality whieh was recalled in the name "kahuwai." Fortunately, many of the stories and the information known about this area have been recorded. In 1984, now-retired University of Hawai'i education professor John Carse conducted and wrote an oral history/archaeological report for this area. His interest continues, and John acted as informal guide during our visit.

The deep attachment and knowledge the two women have for this area is immediately sensed. Both grew up here, and Mrs. Whitney's great grandparents and other likely family members are buried nearby in above-ground graves surrounded by hala on a promontory. Natural erosion of the cliffside worries her now with the thought that these graves may be disturbed in the future.

Still in the planning stages, Bishop Estate is interested in developing a preservation and interpretative plan for Kahuwai village. Based on the care and respect demonstrated by Bishop Estate staff and everyone else involved during this initial visit, Kahuwai will someday soon offer its now-quiet beauty to all who eome "mindful of the way of the Puna uplands."

Natural and man-made disturbances of the old church cemetery have resulted in exposed human remains. When bones are discovered, they are covered and marked with nearby stones and coral— awaiting reburial.

Kupuna authorities Mrs. Nani Whitney and Mrs. Minnie Kaawaloa (third and fourth from left) look over a map of the ancient village of Kahuwai drawn by John Orr. By sharing their childhood memories of the area, the two women add warmth and knowledge to archaeological studies of the same area. Looking on at left are Mrs. Kaawaloa's husband, William, and Mrs. Whitney's daughter, Mrs. Nani Oamaeho.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs Kona Community Resource Specialist Ruby McDonald and Rev. Norman Keanaaina discuss reburial plans near the now-empty crypt associated with Kakalia Church. Church records indicate that the wooden carving of the crypt was destroyed by fire, and the grave moved mauka.

Distinctive "signal rocks" mark the elevated wall whieh runs for several miles through the village. These pohaku indicate junctures in the path, and may also have served to describe family planting or living areas.

Likely burial platforms are found throughout Kahuwai. Housesites, heiau, enclosed planting areas, and eanoe sheds also remain— mute reminders of a once-thriving village.