Ola Waiʻanae - Home of Leeward CC’s Waiʻanae Moku
The sites of Leeward CC are rich in natural resources, cultural history, and moʻolelo. Follow us on our journey to discover more ...
Ola Waiʻanae i ka makani Kaiāulu
(Waiʻanae is made comfortable by the Kaiāulu breeze.) - ʻŌlelo Noʻeau (#2495), Hawaiian Proverb . This ʻŌlelo Noʻeau speaks to the gentle sea breeze that brings comfort to the people of Waiʻanae. Located on the western coast of the island of Oʻahu, Waiʻanae is protected by the Waiʻanae mountain range, home of Kaʻala, the island’s tallest peak. The area is known for its intense heat, as in the phrase “Ua wela i ka lā” or “Scorched by the Sun” referring to the hot breath of the sun beaming down on the receptive land below. However, there exists an abundance of wai or water via streams and springs, as well as access to the deep sea ocean teeming with marine life making it an ideal area for life-giving activities including island food production.
Here at Leeward Community College , our campuses span three special areas, Puʻuloa, Waiʻanae and Wahiawā, each with their own unique histories and moʻolelo, sharing the same vision to help our students learn.
The purpose of this Story Map is to enhance the learning experience of the Leeward Community College community by understanding, honoring, and celebrating the beauty and the bounty of this special place called Waiʻanae.
Waiʻanae
The Waiʻanae or Leeward coast is over 4 million years old and is the oldest area on Oʻahu. Although it is known for its dry landscapes and hot climate, Waiʻanae also includes lush forests, large boulders, and five rivers that flow from Kaʻala to the sea. Kaʻala towers over the ahupuaʻa of the coast and binds it with areas such as Waialua and Wahiawā, community service areas of Leeward Community College. Abundant fishing grounds and large salt pans that used to grace Keaʻau add to the rich and rugged character of the coast.
The bounty of the ʻāina is something to behold. The sparkling waters provide some of the best fishing grounds in the islands, with reefs teaming with various marine life and deep sea fishing off the coast where large ocean currents attract big game fish.
Underwater footage at Mākua Ledge, Waiʻanae (Video by Brian Greene)
In the uka region, Kaʻala and its lush forest act as an aquifer that abundantly sources the moku with wai to enhance agricultural productions and community livelihood.
Kalo or taro in front of Kaʻala at Kaʻala Farm's Cultural Learning Center (Photo by Anuschka Faucci)
Moʻolelo
Some kamaʻāina, or native born residents, say this was the first place in Hawaiʻi to be inhabited by people. They tell the story of Maui, who is well-known as the curious and courageous pan-pacific deity.
One such moʻolelo includes his skirmish with Ka Lā, the sun, at Puʻu Haleakalā in his attempt to slow it down so his mother could dry her kapa and the farmers could grow their crops.
Animation by Theo O'Neal/Jordan Teruya, Music written and performed by Honybal Sosa Jr., narration by Momi Kamahele
Many moʻolelo such as Maui are outlined by the place names and geographical features found within the moku of Waiʻanae.
Maui’s presence is seen through the wahi pāna or sacred places and many surviving moʻolelo that provide evidence of his risk-taking, epic adventures. Moreover, Maui’s bold, daring persona lingers in the spirit of the Waiʻanae people.
It is moʻolelo that perpetuates the life and identity of the ʻāina, its akua, and its people.
Check out more moʻolelo of Waiʻanae and Maui:
The Future of Waiʻanae
The proper management of Waiʻanae’s waiwai, or resources, sustained this community for centuries. But when foreigners started to arrive in the late 18th century, the traditional management of the ʻāina and the lives of the native peoples drastically changed. The forest in the uplands were depleted from sandalwood harvesting and aggressive ranching. Where once the water flowed to nourish the loʻi kalo fields or wetland taro, with the introduction of sugar, valley streams were diverted to support the first sugar plantation on Oʻahu located in Waiʻanae. After World War II, Waiʻanae lost a significant amount of its prime agricultural lands and dwellings through military occupation in Mākua, Lualualei, and Līhuʻe.
View into Mākua Valley. Mālama Mākua' s mission is to bring the return of sacred Mākua Valley from the US military for culturally appropriate use. (Photo by Anuschka Faucci)
The loss of these lands due to over-harvesting and over-development has dramatically impacted Native Hawaiian communities. Through the loss grew a stubborn sense of resilience to protect and perpetuate what still lives. Waiʻanae is now home to the largest organic farm in the pae ‘āina ( MAʻO Organic Farms ) and abundance is cultivated everyday on the land and in the community. They are but one example of the many organizations and community members who are actively re-invigorating the moku of Waiʻanae to prolong the life of ʻāina and kamaʻāina.
Mālama Learning Center is leading restoration efforts with students and community volunteers at Nānākuli muliwai, also called Zablanʻs Beach (as shown in this Photo by Anuschka Faucci)
Today, Waiʻanae is home to the largest number of Native Hawaiians in the World. Often misunderstood, the people of Waiʻanae actually mirror the distinct, resilient and courageous spirit of this special ʻāina. The land shapes the grit of its people; robust and bold set against the rugged and austere landscape of the Waiʻanae coast. The people of Waiʻanae have and always will persevere and thrive.
Aloha ʻia ʻo Waiʻanae
He nani ke ʻike aku
E ola Waiʻanae!
The rich abundance of Waiʻanae serves as the perfect foundation for building a robust, relevant educational experience for the students of Leeward Community College.
Wai'anae moku staff on the Polynesian voyaging canoe Hikianalia
Resources
This Story Map is building on the short video "Ola Waiʻanae" and is meant as a resource to encourage the members of Leeward Community College to integrate place and culture into their teaching and learning.
Ola Wai'anae Video
More Resources
- Leeward CC: An ʻĀina-based research guide - Ola Waiʻanae (Leeward CC LibGuide with more resources on Waiʻanae and place-based education in general)
- Ōlelo No‘eau: Hawaiian Proverbs & Poetical Sayings, Mary Kawena Pukui, 1983
- Hawaiʻi and Pacific Resources (Leeward CC LibGuide)
- Hawai‘i: A Bibliography on Hawaiian Folklore, Mythology, Literature, Music, Hula: Legends, mythology folklorea (Hamilton Library/UH Mānoa LibGuide with lots of resources)
- Ahupua‘a Research: Reference Books (Hamilton Library/UH Mānoa LibGuide with lots of resources)
- Research Guides on Hawai‘i (scroll down to “Hawai‘i” and find a vast amount and variety of resources to learn from)