Celebrate the History and Culture of Our Kaka‘ako

I ka wā ma mua, ka wā ma hope  – The future is found in the past

– Moloka‘i: Future of a Hawaiian Island, Sustainability Conference, July 2009.

September is Hawaiian History Month, and we honor the Hawaiian heritage that continues to guide the kaiāulu of Our Kaka‘ako.

Ka‘ākaukukui and Our Kaka‘ako

The nine-block neighborhood that we refer to today as Our Kaka‘ako is situated in the ‘ili, or subdivision, of Ka‘ākaukukui. The area has a long history of Native Hawaiian settlement, ethnic diversity, industry, education, and entrepreneurship.

The triangular-shaped land division started from the shoreline at South Street stretching inland to Kawaiaha‘o Street, then following Kawaiaha‘o Street until Emily Street. From there, the boundary cut through today’s light industrial area to the makai (toward the ocean) end of Ward Avenue.

A well-developed system of trails once connected the mauka (toward the mountain) and makai sections of Ka‘ākaukukui, forming the main arteries of travel. These trails made the region a gateway between the uplands and shoreline, and a place of trade between lawaiʻa (fishermen) and mahiʻai (farmers).

‘Inoa ‘Āina (Place Name) and Light

One interpretation for the place name, “Ka‘ākaukukui,” in Hawaiian is “the lighted north” or “the right (or north) light” and may reference a previous maritime navigational landmark. Voyagers sailing from east to west along the south shore of O‘ahu would have seen the light of settlements’ kukui nut candles and torches on their right.

‘Āina, Flora, and Fauna

Wai, or fresh water, was a major feature of the region, flowing from upland streams and springs into sprawling lush wetlands. Kou, milo, and kukui as well as pili grass in the drier flatlands grew in abundance.

Ka‘ākaukukui was a fertile habitat for wetland birds and seabirds like the ae‘o (Hawaiian stilt), kōlea (golden-plover), ka‘upu (black-footed albatross), manuokū (white fairy tern), and ‘iwa (great frigatebird). The sea was teeming with marine life, providing food and nourishment as well as recreation, and a means of transportation.

Pa‘akai

Ka‘ākaukukui was home to fishing villages, fishponds, and salt flats. For Hawaiians, pa‘akai, or salt, is a valuable resource. It is used as a seasoning, preservative, medicine, and purifier. Because of its importance in the maritime activities of the time, paʻakai helped establish Hawaiʻi’s role in the transpacific trade taking place between the Pacific Northwest, Hawaiʻi, and China.

Industry and Kaiāulu

Residential construction began in the region, and diverse immigrant camps emerged as people from other countries came to Hawai‘i and worked alongside the native Hawaiian inhabitants. These laborers of Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, and Filipino ancestry brought their cultures with them, adding to the area’s ethnic diversity.

The region, which is more familiar to us by the name, Kaka‘ako, became a community built on a strong blue-collar work ethic, social activism, and a sense of ‘ohana. Small stores, churches, schools, and parks were built, including Pohukaina Elementary School, which was constructed in 1913 and closed in 1981. It was located near the present-day Mother Waldron Park.

In the mid-1900s, Kaka‘ako changed from being residential to commercial. Small businesses sprung up, including wholesalers and warehouses, leading to the urban Kaka‘ako of today.

Community Life & Recreation

The land surrounding Kou, or Honolulu Harbor – including Kaka‘ako – was once renowned as a place for sports, recreation, and entertainment.

During the reign of Kamehameha I, there were maika (a bowling type of game) fields in the area we now refer to as downtown Honolulu. People played kōnane (a checkers-like board game) all day and into the night. In addition, a hōlua slide used for sport ran down the slopes of Pūowaina, or Punchbowl.

Some of the earliest records of the area tell us about the crowds that gathered at the shoreline at Kakaʻako to listen to the daughters of Kamehameha I’s fishermen as they played the ‘ūkēkē (Hawaiian musical bow).

Off shore, surfing enthusiasts rode the waves at Kou and the Kaka‘ako waterfront, while rowing and racing became a favorite pastime during King Kalākaua’s time in the 1800s.

In more recent times, Ilaniwai Street was home to Kaka‘ako’s town hall, where many Hawaiians gathered to enjoy Hawaiian music and hula. The area produced great musicians and performers such as Gabby Pahinui, Genoa Keawe, Don Ho, Sol K. Bright and his family, and hula icons Keahi and ʻIolani Luahine.

Ali‘i Presence and Kamehameha Lineage

The ‘ili of Kaʻākaukukui, which includes the 29 acres of Our Kaka‘ako, has been passed down through prominent members of the Kamehameha line. In the 1848 Māhele, it was awarded to Victoria Kamāmalu and eventually passed to Ke Ali‘i Bernice Pauahi Pākī Bishop, the great-granddaughter of Kamehameha I and the last descendant of the ruling Kamehameha line.

At the time of her passing in 1884, Ke Ali‘i Pauahi set into motion a chain of events that would sustain her people during times of great challenge and change. In her will, she bequeathed an astonishing 431,378 acres of land that would lay the foundation for Kamehameha Schools. That visionary act continues to empower Native Hawaiians today and, through education, inspires solutions and innovations to advance the lāhui (Hawaiian people) in Hawai‘i, the Pacific, and around the world.