| Cultural Notes / Hawaiiana |
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Koko Head: the Abandoned Brother Koko Head's actual name, according to Hawaiian history, is Mookua-o-Kaneapua (Hawaiian: "Kaneapua's backbone". The legend takes place in Maunalua (present-day Hawaii Kai) and is focused on Kaneapua, the younger brother of Kane and Kanaloa. The two older brothers sent Kaneapua to Kohelepelepe (present-day Koko Crater) to fetch some water from a spring atop the mountain called Waiakaaiea. He was also given a warning, which he did not heed, to resist any urge to urinate on the mountain. As a result, the flask he carried to collect water suddenly filled with urine and the spring he was drawing from dried up. Upon Kaneapua's return, his brothers could see that he did not heed their warning and decided to leave the area. Kaneapua realized he let his older brothers down and in his remorse he stayed behind as Kane and Kanaloa departed. Solidified in place, according to legend, one can see the backbone of Kaneapua that is present-day Koko Head.(1) Mookua o Kaneapua is also called Kuamoo o Kane.(2) The tip or point of Koko Head is called Kawaihoa (or "Ka lae o Kawaihoa").(3) 1 - Mokumaia, J. K. "Ka Aekai o Maunalua ame Kona Mau Kuhina" Kuokoa, Mar. 4, 1921 2 - "Na hunahuna no ka moolelo Hawaii" Kuokoa, Jan. 15, 1870 3 - Beckley, Fred K. T Kelsey HEN Vol 1 p 819 Ihiihilauakea & Kauanonoula The namesake of two craters atop Koko Head, the small one known as Kauanonoula (or simply, Nonoula) and the large one named Ihiihilauakea (or Ihe'Ihe-Lauakea), was a pair of chiefesses who were loved by the people of Makapuu for their kindness(4) and considered mythical, created by the powerful volcano-goddess Pele, and kindred of Hiiaka(5). Today, Ihiihilauakea is the name of a rare fern which actually exists in the present-day crater bearing its name. The crater is a protected reserve and of interest to the Nature Conservancy. 4 - Pooloa, George "Anoai o Oahu Nei" Hoku o Hawaii Dec. 31, 1929 5 - Emerson, Pele Hiiaka, p 187 The Ancient Lands According to Revised Laws of Hawaii of 1925, Koko Head is in the ahupuaa of Maunalua which is in the southeastern part of the Kona District.(6) 6 - Summers, Catherine C., "Kona" Map (1959), Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, 1962. Studies suggest the "ahupuaa" are congruent to ancient districts used hundreds of years ago. See the "Hawaiiana" page for a discussion on district and ahupuaa boundaries. |
| Property/Access - More Details |
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The following is a breakdown of land parcels this trail either crosses into, borders with, or remains in extremely close vicinity. Remember that a) trails often meander in and out of bordering land parcels - they are not perfect, and b) parcel boundaries, fee ownership, land leases, and policies of both toward hikers are subject to change. In any case, act as prudent, responsible hikers and heed the law of the land. Majority of Koko Head above Residential Areas (inc. access road to top) 8439 Kalanianaole Hwy 7455 Kalanianaole Hwy Fee Owner: City & County of Honolulu Leasees/Users: AT&T, PrimeCo, PacWest GST, Western Wireless, Mobile Communication of America, Tundra Communications, GTE Media Ventures, Motorola, City & County of Honolulu, Honolulu Cellular, Tel Net, McCaw Communications, Koko Head Ridge Communications, Ericsson, Inc. TMK (zone): 39012002 (conservation) Small area atop Koko Head Fee Owner: City & County of Honolulu Leasees/Users: GTE Mobilenet of Hawaii, City & County of Honolulu TMK (zone): 39012004 (conservation) Tiny Plot atop Koko Head (borders NE side of the small area) 7451 Kalanianaole Hwy Fee Owner: GTE Hawaiian Tel Co, Inc. (PO BOX 152206; Irving, TX 75015-2206) Leasees/Users: GTE Hawaiian Tel, City & County of Honolulu, PrimeCo, Western Wireless, Sprint PCS TMK (zone): 39012005 (conservation) Verified with City & County of Honolulu Department of Planning & Permitting June 28, 2002. It is your responsibility to obtain permission from proper landowners. |