Hawaii Real Estate | Hawaii Relocations | Hawaii Home Buying & Selling

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 10^th 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.

Wahiawa is located a few miles from Mililani Town and back in the early to mid 70's Mililani High School wasn't finished so I attended Leilehua High School in Wahiawa.  As I watched the Wahiawa Lion's Club Veterans Day Parade yesterday with my daughter, I immediately got caught up in memories as my old Alma Mater ROTC marched by.  

My father retired from the US Navy and my son served in the US Navy aboard the USS Kitty Hawk.  Veterans Day is an annual US Holiday honoring military veterans and I stood on the side flooded with memories of my father who passed away in 2004. I remembered the emotions that swept through me when I heard the war broke out and saw that the USS Kitty Hawk, with my son aboard, was in the Persian Gulf.  It was his birthday.

All branches of our Military in Hawaii marched by....

I thank all who have served and are serving in the US Military.

I will continue to remember....and be thankful.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate 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 all Hawaii Home Buyers and Sellers on the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) including all Hawaii Military Relocating to Hawaii, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents.

So....you are Relocating to Hawaii with the Military and...you are going to be stationed at Schofield Barracks Army Installation or Wheeler Army Air Field. (adjacent right next to each other in Central Oahu) Wheeler used to be an Air Force base and was returned to the Army on November 1, 1991. History shows that the soldiers from Schofield started clearing way for an aircraft strip back in February of 1922 and named in November of 1922 honoring Major Sheldon H. Wheeler who died on July 13, 1921 when his aircraft  crashed during a demonstration. Wheeler Air Field became a separate base on August 31, 1939.

Wheeler AAF and Schofield Barracks  are adjacent to each other on Kunia Road although Wheeler has other DOD Defense activities going on including: Defense Communications Agency, the Air Force's 6010th Aerospace Defense Group, the Hawaii Army National Guard's Aviation Support Facility, and the 25th Infantry Division (Light) Aviation Brigade.

Your Military Relocation to Hawaii and Purchasing Your New Home.  The following information is basic but pertinent information to go over before you even pack for your transfer and before considering purchasing your Honolulu County (Oahu) home. Moving across the Pacific Ocean to such a diverse culture may be of a shock and you may want to brush up on a few tips to make your transition a smooth one.

• *Across the Ocean to Paradise: Military Relocations Hawaii*  Don't be shocked when you arrive...get the scoop on the environment, jobs, house hunting, BAH current rates and more!
• The Art of Hawaii Relocations  Expect smaller, different and of course paradise.
• VA Loans & Hawaii Military Relocations: This Realtors® Process Know the process for your VA benefits and the VA loan process.
• Honolulu-Hawaii Pet Quarantine: Prepare For Your Hawaii Move!  Hawaii is Rabies Free so our laws are strict with incoming pets.
• Oahu and Surrounding Neighborhood Search: Relocations Hawaii  A look into how I set you up to receive automatic listings with your own personal webpage to fine tune your criteria for your home purchase
• What's in Your Wallet?  This online relocation packet may be informational but I always send out printed booklets as well. It's just ...well....more personal.
• Visitor and Newcomer Safety Tips for Hawaii!  Take heed to some safety tips as it will surely make you one proactive person....and it could save you and your family from harm.
• 10 Simple Things for BUYING YOUR HAWAII HOME  For one, you will have your own agent (known as a Buyer's Agent) to represent your best interests. Another, leave the work to us and not your friend, family or yourself. It's like having an operation performed by a school teacher. Doesn't work like that.
• HAWAII OPEN HOUSES (RULES WHILE ATTENDING)  Sometimes, buyers are under the impression that they are better negotiators and will be able to get a better deal. Read tips for Open Houses because the agent holding the Open House is thinking in the best interests of the seller...not you.

The Military Presence on Oahu,  Land Use and other Zoning Laws  It is without a doubt that our Hawaiian Islands have little buildable land so it is detrimental to keep all of our zoning and land use laws intact. The Active Duty Military has 3.5% of a population and 10% total with Veterans as well. The majority of our land is Preservation and Conservation land and the following will give you insight

• Preservation & Conservation: Military Land Use on Oahu Hawaii's West Coast  The Military's presence and their role with helping to understand the importance of preservation of the land.
• Hawaii (Oahu) Zoning, Special Use and Building Permits  Zoning laws, land use and maps of Oahu.
• Hawaii Coastal Land: *Ponder Before Purchasing*  Important facts to consider when considering a purchase of Coastal Land.
• Purchasing Hawaii Vacant Land? Ancient Hawaiian Burial Sites and Laws  A few 'must knows' when it comes when you come across ancient burial sites.

Neighborhoods in Honolulu County and Market Report too!  An insight into the different neighborhoods and what they have to offer. You will also get current market statistics in each community for which I wrote for that period.  

• The Market DEPENDS on the Circumstances Doesn't It?  Every individual has different needs, circumstances and criteria for purchasing or selling their home. An overview of reasons as well as OAHU (Honolulu County) market report for the island.
• Be Part of the Solution For Your Market; Because "Shift" Always Happens  All neighborhoods tell a different story when it comes to current market statistics so in my opinion there is NO nationwide statistics to compare to our Hawaii Market. This article was written last summer although with the other articles you will read you will find out that our market has stabilized. Some may have gone up, down or just remained at level sales prices.   
• Relocating to Hawaii? Ewa Gentry & Ocean Pointe Communities  Get more bang for your buck in these areas.  Ocean Pointe is a newer community (and still growing) with energy efficient homes and central air conditioning and Ewa Gentry is a little older but still have some nicely upgraded and central air in some communities. 
• Royal Palm @ Waipio Gentry: Hawaii Relocations  Centrally located but still in the North Leeward district this community has stopped building although if you are looking for townhouses there are some reasonably priced ones as well. Across from the Patsy Mink Central Oahu Regional Park this community has an industrial area as well as residential (including Costco!)  
• Oahu, Hawaii Relocations: The Waipio Gentry Community, Oahu, Hawaii  is another article in this area that will give you an overall view of the Waipio Gentry Community and statistics on single family and townhomes.
• Hawaii Relocations: The Mililani Community on Oahu, Hawaii  Central Oahu and a 30 year and growing Master Planned Community with 7 recreation  centers, 3 shopping centers, elementary schools, intermediate and high school too. Two sides divide Mililani with the H-2 freeway. Mililani Town and Mililani Mauka.  Schofield and Wheeler Bases are 5 to 10 minutes north of Mililani.
• Waikele Community - Homes, Condos & Market - Honolulu County Hawaii  12 townhome communities and 9 single family communities you have it all here in Waikele with the wonderful
• Ko Olina Resort & Marina: Can't Get Any Better Than This!  Resort style living by the ocean with its own yacht club too. Check it out if you want luxury living.

Honolulu County (Oahu) Weather and Traffic - It is a given that with an island so small and a population of almost one million that we do have peak traffic hours as in any other part of the country. For a look at Oahu's traffic click on the following TRAFFIC CAM to view during peak hours.

• Torrential Rains, Thunder, Lightning, Floods......... and Snow? Only in Hawaii!  Though the majority of the time we have our blue sunny skies and tropical atmosphere there are times we get rainy weather and .....yes, snow on the other island

Things to Do, History & Places to See - A three part series for a brief, condensed Points of Interest series to learn a little about our island and our so diverse and full of different cultures and ways of life.

• ActiveRain Guide to Oahu: Points of Interest (Part III)
• ActiveRain Guide to Oahu: Points of Interest (Part I) 
• ActiveRain Guide to Oahu: Points of Interest (Part II)

Condo or Townhouse Living: Rules to Follow and Steps to Protect: If you are contemplating downsizing then condo / townhouse living may be an option. With maintenance fees for most associations taking care of the bulk of your homeowner's insurance (common elements), and repairs to the outside, roof, grounds and water/trash and sewere this may just be an option.

• Hawaii Townhouse Living... Responsible Homeowners Take Steps to Protect Owners have responsibilities to fix or report leaks etc. Being proactive to reduce further damage is a must!
• Hawaii Condominium Associations: Rules To Follow!  A few pointers to follow your Condo/Townhouse Association Rules. It does make for a nice community.

History of schools and links to Hawaii's Education System A brief look at the history of Hawaii and its school system as well as researching schools and neighborhoods suitable for your family and their Relocation to Hawaii.

• The History of Education and Schools in Hawaii
• Other Links for Education:  Department of Education in Hawaii-Hawaii Public Schools has loads of information, forms, reports, technology, special interests, jobs, public libraries and so much more on this site!!
• Military bases with schools and also a map with locations.

Myths, Legends and Superstitions: Every place has it's history as well as their  "stories"....come join me in revisiting some old tales of Hawaii. It is a given that there are certain things to respect on the islands. Not only do we have Ancient Burial Site laws that protect our land...we also have certain sites that still have remnants of ancient temples that are not to be disturbed.

• Hawaiian Legends - Nightmarchers, Menehune, and the Tiki Gods  The legends continue.....
• HAWAIIAN Spirits and Superstitions  Just a few of the stories and tales from the elders passed on....

Bottom line is this.

It's not easy moving across the Pacific Ocean let alone to a totally different "world" of people,

 but you can do it with a little effort, motivation and a great Realtor®! 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate 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 Relocating to Hawaii, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents. Website: www.hawaiihomesmarket.com