Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 20, Number 3, 1 March 2003 — O'ahu's Mōkapu a sacred wahi pana [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

O'ahu's Mōkapu a sacred wahi pana

[?]

— (xK8l Ēl 8

By Claire Hughes, Dr.PH., R.D. In life and in death, our Hawaiian ancestors took care of their loved ones. Ancient burial practices included food provisions. Evidence of pigs, dogs, chickens, shark, shellfish and other fish, coral and various food items was found at nearly all burials in the Mōkapu area. In addition, fish hooks, eanine tooth bracelets, shell pendants and numerous tools were also found there. Was the practice to assure a supply of the items in the next world? Were the artifacts representative of the profession of those who were buried? These findings warrant additional study. The Mōkapu dunes were established in ancient times as burial grounds, probably for inhabitants from several neighboring villages. Studies of Mōkapu provide us with great detail about the Hawaiian ancestors who lived in this area. Collection of artifacts began in 1912 and excavation of burial sites started about a decade later and continued for another forty years. Although highly controversial and, according to present law, totally illegal, over 500 burials were unearthed during those years. The artifacts and skeletal remains were studied by professors and students at the University of Hawai'i

and reports and artifacts were filed with the Bishop Museum. From these detailed reports we have gained insight into ancient burial methods, burial positions and ways of bundling the bodies and we have learned about the physical stature and health status of our ancestors. The health-related information investigated the thickness and length of bones, formation and soundness of teeth and estimated muscle development. It also provided some insight into injuries, healing and illnesses suffered. The Mōkapu peninsula is sur-

rounded by Kāne'ohe Bay on one side and Kailua Bay on the other and connects both to Kāne'ohe and Kailua. Many changes have occurred in this area, and it is uncertain what landmarks remain intact. Mololani, the crater hill on the Mōkapu peninsula, is a plaee of great cultural significance. The eastern slope of Mololani faces the sunrise and the soil there is red with bluish-black earth mingled throughout. In ancient times, this plaee was called Kahakahakea. Later it became known as Pahuna. A mo'olelo tells us about the

work of the gods that took plaee here. This is where the gods made the first man. First, Kāne drew an image in the soil — a head, body, arms and legs — in the likeness of the gods. When he was done, Kanaloa said that he had the power to bring life to this drawing. Kanaloa drew an image in the earth similar to Kāne's drawing. "Let your earth become man", Kāne and Kanaloa called, but the dirt figure did not respond. Kāne turned to his fellow gods, Kū and Lono, and asked them to participate in bringing life to the image. Kāne called out, "Come to life". Kū and Lono responded, "Live". Again, Kāne called, "Come to life". Kū and Lono responded, "Live". With that, the gods turned the dirt image into a living man. The gods took their first man to live in Hale-kou, a house they had made themselves. The man observed how his shadow followed his body whenever he went outside and returned to the house. When the man ran to the beach, he noticed that his shadow followed him closely. Finally, he fell asleep and when he woke, a pretty woman sat by his side. He thought that the gods had made a wife for him from his shadow and he called her Keakahulilani (the shadow made of heaven). Thus it was that the gods made the first woman. •

Mōkapu ls still consldered a sacred wahl pana to Hawalians. and was the stte of Makahlki ceremonies last November. Kapono Alull Souza sounds the pū (eoneh) as īonl Auld Yardley stands near the akua lō'au Lono. Pho»o: Kekuni Biaisde«