| Area Geology |
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The oddly-shaped monument that is Olomana is actually a remnant of lava which pooled within the Koolau caldera. The Koolau Mountains, which broke through the ocean's surface about 2.7 million years ago, were formed by two rift zones (one to the northwest and one to the southeast) with a giant caldera in the "middle" about 8 miles long and 4 miles wide. The caldera, of which only its western section survives today, encompasses the present-day amphitheater which curves inland from Kualoa, wraps along the Koolau mountains (Nuuanu Pali), then curves out back toward the ocean from Puu o Kona and the cliffs above Waimanalo. The rest of the caldera - the eastern section which would have extended several miles offshore of Kaneohe and Kailua - along with a gigantic chunk of the original Koolau shield volcano has long since fallen into the ocean. Olomana stands relatively close to the caldera's center. It is a thick stack of horizontal lava flows which were shaped by circulating hot water and steam while the caldera was still molten and active. Reference: Hazlett, Richard W., Hyndman, Donald W. Roadside Geology of Hawai'i, Mountain Press Publishing, 1996 |
| Cultural Notes / Hawaiiana |
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There are several legends pertaining to Olomana in pre-modern Hawaiian belief. The stories vary significantly referring to Olomana as the remnants of a slain giant warrior, one of five guardian attendants of Haumea, and the mountain who's peaks' namesakes were that of a noted chief's influence. In each, however, is the common thread of names for the three peaks (while there is some disagreement as to the actual placement order from first to third): Olomana, Ahiki, and Pakui. Legend of Olomana, the Fallen Warrior Olomana was a warrior of great strength and influence and controlled a huge tract of land in windward Oahu spanning Makapuu Point to Kaaawa. Two accounts described the man to be brave, feared, and a giant at over 12 to 13 yards tall. Ahuapau, king of Oahu at the time of this legend, was one of many who feared Olomana and avoided travelling through the windward side of the island because of him. As such, Ahuapau requested the services of Palila, a warrior who had received special training from the sacred and supernatural temple of Alanapo on the island of Kauai. At first, Ahuapau tried to trick Palila into thinking there was no serious concern to his safety while making the request for Palila to journey around the entire island of Oahu. When Palila threatened the king's life, and the lives of the king's soldiers, warning that treachery would not be tolerated Ahuapau admitted that Olomana was standing in his way at Kaelepulu (present-day Keolu). Palila decided that since the king revealed his secret fear of Olomana that he would not kill the king for initially trying to hide this information. With his royal mission to destroy Olomana, Palila set out through Nuuanu and descended into windward Oahu. He confronted Olomana near the coast of Waimanalo and, after a brief verbal exchange, Palila slew the giant by slicing him into two parts. One half of Olomana was flung into the ocean while the other half remains on land where he stood in the battle. To this day it is still present as the landmark bearing his name. 1 - Fornander, Abraham, Collection of Hawaiian Antiquities and Folklore, Vol. V, p 374, Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, 1916 2 - Fornander, Abraham, Collection of Hawaiian Antiquities and Folklore, Vol. V, p 144, Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, 1916 Olomana, Pakui, and Ahiki - the Peak Debate Olomana, today, is commonly accepted as the first and tallest peak of the three peaks of the Olomana Ridge. The question then becomes which are the correct names of the second and third peaks? According to Catherine Summers of the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, the first peak is called Olomana, the second is called Pakui, and the third is called Ahiki.(6) Furthermore, in the notebook of famed Oahu archaeologist J. Gilbert McAllister, he had written that Ahiki is "toward range" and Pakui is "makai" or toward ocean. This suggests Pakui, which is closer to the ocean, should be the second peak while Ahiki, being closest to the ridge heading to the Koolau crest, is the third peak. However, there seems to be equal evidence that Pakui is the correct name for the third peak. Specific reference has been made that Pakui is the name of the peak which faces Waimanalo (versus the one which faces Kaneohe, according to the text).(3) Another reference to the same was in a statement that the peak "beside it [Olomana] stands Ahiki" which was the name of a favorite konohiki over the ponds of Chief Olomana at Kaelepulu and Kawainui. The same went on to claim "the third peak, Pakui, was named for the keeper of the ponds in the time of Olomana".(4) With these arguments at hand it is typically safer to refer to the peaks in number versus ancient name. 3 - "Hiiaka-i-ka-poli-o-Pele", Oahu Place Names in Hoku o Hawaii, Dec. 15, 1925 4 - Alona, Mrs. Charles, Interview, Oahu Place Names, Sept. 29, 1939 Keanini Keanini is an alternate name for Aniani Nui Ridge. 5 - Pualwa, W. N., "No Ka aoao Hikina o Koolaupoko", Ke Au Okoa, Nov. 12, 1866 The Ancient Lands According to Revised Laws of Hawaii of 1925, this trail borders the ahupua'as of Kailua and Waimanalo which are both in the southern tip of the Ko'olaupoko Moku (land district).(6) 6 - Summers, Catherine C., "Koolaupoko" Map (1959), Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, 1962. Studies suggest the larger "moku" and smaller "ahupuaa" are congruent to ancient land divisions 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. Trailhead (and access road to Luana Hills Golf Course) Fee Owner: HRT, Ltd. (3360 Waialae Ave, Ste 400; Honolulu, HI 96816) Leasee: none TMK (zone): 42006008 (agriculture) Ridge to Olomana Peak 42-470 Kalanianaole Hwy Owner: State of Hawaii Operator: Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility TMK (zone): 42006002 (agriculture) Note: Olomana Peak is at apex of three parcels Olomana Peak: Southern Third (WNW to SE 120-degrees of Olomana Peak) Fee Owner: HRT, Ltd. (3360 Waialae Ave, Ste 400; Honolulu, HI 96816) Leasee: none TMK (zone): 42008005 (conservation) Olomana Peak: Northern Third (WNW to NNE 120-degrees of Olomana Peak) 42-470 Kalanianaole Hwy Owner: State of Hawaii Operator: Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility TMK (zone): 42006002 (agriculture) Olomana Peak: Eastern Third (including 2nd & 3rd peaks) (NNE to SSE 120-degrees of Olomana Peak) Fee Owner: State of Hawaii Leasee: none TMK (zone): 42005001 (conservation) Verified with City & County of Honolulu public records July 9, 2002. It is your responsibility to obtain permission from proper landowners. |