Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 20, Number 7, 1 July 2003 — Kōkua builds successful communities [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Kōkua builds successful communities

The practice of helping, sharing and depending on one another has been at the heart of successful community building ever since Hawai'i^ early history.

By Claire Hughes , Dr.PH., R.D.

"Hilina'i Puna, Kulele ia Ka'u" Puna leans and reclines on Ka'ū This saying, from 'ŌIelo Noeau, describes a person who leans or depends on another person. The saying originated when ancestors of the Ka'ū and Puna districts, who were one extended family, decided to divide their district in two, without breaking their ties entirely. Those living in Ka'ū referred to themselves as the Mākaha and those in Puna as the Kūmakaha. These names are heard in chants about chiefs of Ka'ū. Mary Kawena Pūku'i explains that residents of early settlements considered themselves to be a family, an 'ohana. This saying describes the close and dependent relationship that existed between the Puna and Ka'ū districts, where her family lived. Considering the history of early Hawaiian arrival, closely bonded 'ohana living in one area would be an expected outcome. The ancestors arrived in self-suffi-cient units, bringing all types of tools, plants, and skills, such as farmers, fishermen, eanoe builders, tapa makers, kahuna, and others, that were needed to set up a flourishing settlement. Although not of blood relationship at the time of arrival, after many generations of living in one area, blood ties would undoubtedly have occurred. Kōkua is the practice of helping, sharing and depending on one another. Kōkua strengthened and maintained bonds within 'ohana and community relationships.

'Ohana living in makai areas would kōkua 'ohana living in mauka areas with seafood. Kalo, firewood and other mountain items, were exchanged by those living in the highlands. The kōkua process has been the heart of successful eom-

munity building ever since Hawai'i's early history. The history of early Hawaiians clearly demonstrates what diligent, persevering, hard-working and considerate people they were. Collaborative living created productive and thriving villages that expanded and filled large geographical areas. An excellent example of a flourishing community that eventually heeame an important seat of governmental activities exists on 0'ahu's windward side. Soon after

the arrival of the first Hawaiians, Kailua's rich and fertile land heeame a highly productive food area. The land surrounding Mt. Olomana featured extensive terraces devoted to cultivation of kalo and food crops with ample fresh

water coming from the mountains nearby. Difficult to visualize today were at least five kuleana existing mauka of Kawainui area, watered by springs and a stream from Mt. Olomana. Additional kuleana to the side of Kawainui were watered by the stream connecting Kawainui and Ka'elepulu ponds. Two additional kuleana flanked Ka'elepulu. A Waimānalo kupuna was able to name nearly two dozen terrace sections in lower Olomana area that were devoted to wetland kalo, until

about 1930. 01d Kailua boasted rich fishing grounds and reefs that provided mueh food. Extensive shoreline areas were known for oeean fishing for 'ahi, awa, kāhala, and other fish. Gathering of great quantities of prized limu līpoa is also the history of this area. Choice fish were grown in ponds, and Kawainui grew fish and mullet for the ali'i. Many foodrelated names are heard. For example, oneawa means sand of the awa fish, and that area was famous for huge quantities of high quality 'ō'io fish caught there too. In ancient times 0'ahu's great chief Kakuhihewa vacationed in the 'Ālele area, where he built a large government house called Pāmoa to conduct important land, genealogieal work and an extensive variety of education for the people. Many heiau, an adze quarry, fish ponds, a race course, a eanoe landing and several burial grounds were found in developing Kailua. Most of these have been destroyed. 'Alalā, a natural rock shrine located in Lanikai, was part of the 'Alalā heiau. A rock formation from the heiau remains and now bears the Lanikai sign. It is said that Kūali'i, the great O'ahu chief, was born on this heiau in the 1600s. Ka'ōhao was renamed by a realtor who conjured up "Lanikai," thinking that meant "heavenly sea." Kailua has changed in the last 400 years, and its past is difficult to see. This glimpse of history gives us greater appreciation for the work and achievements of early Hawaiians. n

Ol akino

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Kōkua in aelion — "'A'ohe hana nui ke alu 'ia — no task is too big when done together by all." This 'ōlelo no'eau collected by Kawena Pūku'i is exemplified in fishpond restoration on Moloka'i. Photo: Walter Ritte