A History of the Makua Valley

Makua is one the best remembered ahupua'a on the coast, and for good reason. first of all, it has a long, sandy beach that was landing port for canoes from near and far. As it was stopping-off place for travelers, visitors often stayed overnight in Makua on their way to Kaena Pt. and other places. It undoubtly also was a prime fishing spot. Because Makua Valley's streams are dry for part of the year, archaelogists speculate that sweet potatoes were the main crop in this area which could not have supported wet taro cultivation. Tradition says that the Olohe people occupied this area at one time. The Olohe were highly skilled in the ancient martial art of bonebreaking called lua. Some claim the Olohe were a race apart from the Hawaiians because they dressed differently and hadred, hairless skin. History speaks of how they would rub their bodies waith oil before performing lua, "the sacred art of self-defense perfomed only by the 'hairless ones'."

The art of lua included the use of many methods and weapons, most of which are no longer known. A few weapons still recognized today are the staff, spear, noose and dagger, all of which were handled expertly when used with bonebreaking techniques. The beautiful dagger called a pikoi lua is catalogued at Bishop museum under the label "eye gouge." Their aha moa, or strangling cord, was made from the intestines of defeated enemies. Stories of the mysterious and powerful Olohe existed on several islands.

The Olohe had several roles to play in Hawiian culture. They officated at inikis where young hula dancers were initiated into halaus. High chiefs occaionally called upon themto settle disturbance and rid of them troublemakers. Said to have been of a highly dicipline religious order, they had immense spiritual powers that were cltivated from within.

One legendary feature of Makua was the clapping rock of Waikomo. When the Clapping Rock was approached at a distance of four or five feet and hands weere clapped, there was an echo. Legends says that old retired chiefs would come here to visit while the younger men were busy with daily chores.

A tiny maile leaf once grew in the Koiahi area of Makua Valley that was said to be the finest of any maile in the Islands. Oldtimers say that this maile no longer exists because it was wiped out by foraging goats brought in by the Europeans.

An ancient trail Kaena and, most likely, went over the mountains into Waialua. In ancient times the island was interlocked by a system of trails that connected all parts of the island. There was a main path that encicled the island at shore. These trails were well-trod, being used much like today's highway system.

Very little is left Makua's Kamuakuopio Heiau. What now remains is a raised sand platform, 120 ft. by 100ft., and two piles of large stones. The rest of the stones were stolen in modern times to build rock fences.

The Makua koa (fishing shrine), also in ruins, is said to lie in the middle of the beach. It sits in an area described the only section of the beach not covered water during heavy seas. Some archaeologists say that this large site. The Makua koa is a much respected and honored spot to Hawaiian fisherman today.

memories

The Makua Valley

The Wai'anae Coast