Lulumahu Falls

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Cultural Notes / Hawaiiana
Lulumahu Falls in the "Old Days" While mention of the waterfall is difficult to find in ancient texts, a reference was made in the translated history of Galathea, a Danish corvette which sailed around the world from 1845 - 1847: "...but if you pass to the rear of its garden you will see a seething fall cascading down from a height of more than 70 feet."(1) 1 - Bille, Steen The Friend, Report on Galathea's travel, 1845 - 1847, pg 28 (translated) Kaniakapupu: a Royal Summer Residence Today, Kaniakapupu is a dilapidated set of ruins and looks almost insignificant amongst the array of trees and overgrown foliage. However, in its day it was a thriving summer home for the Hawaiian monarchy. Kamehameha III most notorized the site with lavish celebrations in accordance with the anniversary of his restoration to power. The fourth anniversary of Restoration Day ("Lahoihoiea"), July 21, 1847, was quite spectacular in the annals of Hawaiian history. An estimated 10,000 persons attended, including the king, his Queen Kalama, chiefs, ministers, Grand Marshalls Henry Sea, J.R. Jasper, and William Jarrett, and guests, most riding in on the 4,600 horses counted. A steward's memorandum recorded the use of "271 hogs, 482 calabashes of poi, 602 chickens, 3 whole oxen, 2 barrels of salt pork, 2 barrels of biscuits, 3,125 salt fish, 1,820 fresh fish, 12 barrels of laulau and cabbage, 4 barrels of onions, 80 bunches of bananas, 55 pineapples, 10 barrles of potatoes, 55 ducks, 82 turkeys, 2,245 coconuts, 4,000 heads of taro, 180 squid, oranges, limes, grapes, and various fruits" in preparation for 12,000 guests.(2) The locale was dubbed Kaniakapupu (Hawaiian: "song of the land shells") because of the reportedly heavy presence of snail shells.(3) While Kamehameha IV, son of Kamehameha III, received education in Western thought and theory, he was brought to Kaniakapupu to receive traditional Hawaiian training in culture, arts, and soldiery. (4) 2 - "Holiday Observances", Hawaiian Annual, 1930, p. 102-105 3 - T Kelsey Col, HEN Vol I p 819 [307] 4 - Raphaelson, article [307] The Ancient Lands According to Revised Laws of Hawaii of 1925, Likeke resides in the ahupuaa of Nuuanu which is in the central part of the Kona District.(6) 6 - Summers, Catherine C., "Koolaupoko" 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.

Cultural Notes / Hawaiiana

Lulumahu Falls in the "Old Days"

While mention of the waterfall is difficult to find in ancient texts, a reference was made in the translated history of Galathea, a Danish corvette which sailed around the world from 1845 - 1847:

"...but if you pass to the rear of its garden you will see a seething fall cascading down from a height of more than 70 feet."(1)

1 - Bille, Steen The Friend, Report on Galathea's travel, 1845 - 1847, pg 28 (translated)

Kaniakapupu: a Royal Summer Residence

Today, Kaniakapupu is a dilapidated set of ruins and looks almost insignificant amongst the array of trees and overgrown foliage. However, in its day it was a thriving summer home for the Hawaiian monarchy. Kamehameha III most notorized the site with lavish celebrations in accordance with the anniversary of his restoration to power.

The fourth anniversary of Restoration Day ("Lahoihoiea"), July 21, 1847, was quite spectacular in the annals of Hawaiian history. An estimated 10,000 persons attended, including the king, his Queen Kalama, chiefs, ministers, Grand Marshalls Henry Sea, J.R. Jasper, and William Jarrett, and guests, most riding in on the 4,600 horses counted. A steward's memorandum recorded the use of "271 hogs, 482 calabashes of poi, 602 chickens, 3 whole oxen, 2 barrels of salt pork, 2 barrels of biscuits, 3,125 salt fish, 1,820 fresh fish, 12 barrels of laulau and cabbage, 4 barrels of onions, 80 bunches of bananas, 55 pineapples, 10 barrles of potatoes, 55 ducks, 82 turkeys, 2,245 coconuts, 4,000 heads of taro, 180 squid, oranges, limes, grapes, and various fruits" in preparation for 12,000 guests.(2)

The locale was dubbed Kaniakapupu (Hawaiian: "song of the land shells") because of the reportedly heavy presence of snail shells.(3)

While Kamehameha IV, son of Kamehameha III, received education in Western thought and theory, he was brought to Kaniakapupu to receive traditional Hawaiian training in culture, arts, and soldiery. (4)

2 - "Holiday Observances", Hawaiian Annual, 1930, p. 102-105
3 - T Kelsey Col, HEN Vol I p 819 [307]
4 - Raphaelson, article [307]

The Ancient Lands

According to Revised Laws of Hawaii of 1925, Likeke resides in the ahupuaa of Nuuanu which is in the central part of the Kona District.(6)

6 - Summers, Catherine C., "Koolaupoko" 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.

Lulumahu Falls

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