Read this article in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi
Are you familiar with the terms, the Hilo(s), the Kona(s), or the Kohala(s)? These places were called and named so by our elders so that people would know where one was going.
The Hilo(s)
There are three names for Hilo. They are Hilo One (Sandy Hilo), Hilo Palikū (Steep Cliff Hilo), and Hilo Hanakahi (Hilo of Chief Hanakahi). Hilo One and Hilo Hanakahi are often heard in song. Hilo One is the fine sandy beach of Hilo Bay.
Hilo Palikū is the cliff section of Hilo north of Wailuku River, the river flowing from Waiānuenue Falls. There at Hilo Palikū, at Kukuilauʻānia specifically, is where Hiʻiaka saw with her own eyes, the complete devastation of her ʻōhiʻa lehua forests of Puna.
Hilo Hanakahi is the vast area ma uka o Waiākea to Keaukaha. Hanakahi was a generous chief of Hilo. His son was Nāihekukui, the father of Kalama, the royal wife of Kauikeaouli or Kamehameha III. This name of Hilo Hanakahi is often heard in song such as in the line, “Hilo Hanakahi i ka ua kani lehua.” The word “kani” here does not refer to sound as in “hoʻokani” (to sound) but to the satisfaction of a need of a person such as kani wai and kani ʻai. Thirst is quenched and hunger is satiated.
Nā Kona
In Alice Kū’s song, Kaulana nā Kona i ke Kuahiwi, these names are used – the Kona(s). The Kona(s) are South Kona and North Kona. Kona Hema consists of the ahupuaʻa from Kapuʻa to Kiʻilae. North Kona is from Kiʻilae to Puʻuanahulu. Nā Pua is another nickname that was often heard by previous generations, namely Puʻuwaʻawaʻa and Puʻuanahulu. If one said, “Iʻm headed to Nā Puʻu (The Hills),” then he is going to Puʻuanahulu and Puʻuwaʻawʻa.
Nā Kohala
The older name for South Kohala is Kohala Waho (Outer Kohala), which consists of the moku (large land division) with the greater population such as in Waimea. The land divisions of Outer Kohala are a bit different. For example,Waimea is a kalana, a land division smaller than a moku (district) to whom belongs the ʻokana (subdistrict with many ahupuaʻa) of ʻOuli, Waiʻaka, Lālāmilo, Puakō, Kalāhuipuaʻa, Puʻukapu, Waikōloa, and other names. Inner Kohala in North Kohala contains the many large and small valleys such as Pololū. Between the Kohala(s) are “the hills that travelers use” namely Pili and Kalāhikiola.
Perhaps these names are still heard. Perhaps there are nicknames for the Puna(s), the Kaʻū(s), or the Hāmākua(s). If you heard of any please email me.
Note: Hawaiian words do not pluralize with ‘s’ so the plural marker is placed within parentheses.
, the Kona(s), or the Kohala(s)? These places were called and named so by our elders so that people would know where one was going.){kind=link}