It was just one of those days to take a drive and find a site on Oahu that would be interesting to share. I was going into 10th grade at Leilehua High School in Wahiawa in 1971 as our high school in Mililani was not finished yet. A lot of history surrounds this area and I'm going to share a part of this area right outside Wahiawa and the historical significance of the Kukaniloko Birthing Stones Site.
The Wahiawa Plateau used to be forest land and three districts (Waianae, Waialua and Ewa) of ‘old Oahu' extended into this plateau. Known as the ‘uplands' chiefs were born and resided here and it was also the location where the key battles for control over Oahu were fought.
The chiefs preserved their chiefly kapu (pronounced ‘kah poo' and is the code of conducts of laws and regulations). Several heiau (sacred Hawaiian temples) were built around this chiefly area in the slopes and gulches of the Waianae mountain range and facing the Wahiawa Plateau.
Major trails crossed the island of Oahu and met near Kukaniloko. The Waialua Trail started in Waialua and went through Wahiawa down to the Ewa plains. The Kolekole Trail started in Waianae and crossed over the Waianae Range and joined the Wailalua Trail near Kukaniloko.
Wahiawa (meaning rumbling) is where thunderstorms and the voices of ancestral gods welcomed an offspring of highest and divine ranking. Such as being in central Oahu, Kukaniloko is symbolic of the PIKO (navel cord)...... and so symbolizing.....birth.
The royal birthsite here was Kukaniloko (coo kah knee low koe) which was north outside the city of Wahiawa and located in the Waialua district. It included the associated Ho'o'onopahu Heiau (hey ee ow are ) ancient Hawaiian temple and nearby Lihue within the Waianae Uka district. A royal center on Oahu between A.D. 1400-1500 the Kukaniloko Birth Stones Site has been honored as a significant cultural site on Oahu.
From Kukaniloko the open skies might have made this location a prime location for a sort of Hawaiian kind of Stonehenge. A University of Hawaii team from the Institute of Astronomy recorded designs and shapes that may have been used for the movement of stars and such for calendars.
The plaque reads: KUKANILOKO...This site is sacred to the Hawaiian people. As many as 800 years ago, chiefs and chiefesses came here for the birth of their children. A child born at Kukaniloko was assured high -ranking status. Please respect this sacred area. Do not damage the stones by marking them or leaving coins. PRESERVE HAWAII'S PAST FOR THE FUTURE.
As always, it is unlawful to take, excavate, destroy or alter any historic site on state land. Any person who violates this law is subject to a fine of $10,000 (HRS, Chapter 6E-11) DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES, DIVISION OF STATE PARKS.
Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate® and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocations, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents, Home Buyers and Sellers.
© 2007-2012 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog.
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