Ahupua'a O Kahana State Park
Encyclopedia
Ahupuaa O Kahana State Park, formerly Kahana Valley State Park, is located on the windward
side of Oahu
between Kaʻaʻawa and Punaluu. The park is located mauka (up hill) from Kahana Bay
. It is Hawaii's only public ahupuaa
, and it stretches from the sea to the tip of Puu Pauao at 2670 feet. It has a tropical climate, and it is one of the wettest areas in Oahu, averaging nearly 300 inches per year in parts of the valley. The main purpose of the park is to embrace and teach Hawaiian culture.
came to the islands, Kahana had a strong community. It had fresh water, abundant seafood, and a stable supply of taro
, which was grown in fields with advanced irrigation
systems. However, around the time of King Kamehameha's
unification of Hawaii in the 1800s, the community fell into steep decline due to foreign diseases, sugarcane
cultivation and the military's use of the valley as a World War II
jungle warfare
training center, through the arrival of Europeans. In the early 1900s most of the valley was owned by Mary E. Foster, and after her death the valley was given to Bishop Estate. The state proposed a purchase of the ahupua'a, which was rejected. The Foster estate was not satisfied with the purchase plan, which was for $5,000,000 being paid 1 million per year for 5 years, as the then current legislature could not ensure future payments. The state forced the purchase through condemnation, later fulfilling their debt. The land later became a state park
. Today, only 31 families live in the valley.
hawaiiensis), a native freshwater fish, can be found in the streams of the lower valley. Amaama (flathead mullet
, Mugil cephalus) and milkfish
(Chanos chanos) are common in the Huilua Fishpond
. Bird species that can be found in the lower valley include Pacific Golden Plover
(Pluvialis fulva) , Ruddy Turnstone
(Arenaria interpres), Sanderling
(Calidris alba), Wandering Tattler
(Tringa incana), aukuu (Black-crowned Night Heron
, Nycticorax nycticorax), alae keokeo (Hawaiian Coot
, Fulica alai), and alae ula
(Hawaiian Moorhen, Gallinula chloropus sandvicensis). The last two species are endangered. In the upper valley are many native species of songbirds, such as the [[ʻApapane|apapane]] (Himatione sanguinea) and Oahu amakihi (Hemignathus flavus), along with non-native species of mynah, cardinal
, dove
and ricebird
.
Feral pigs were introduced to the valley by the first Polynesian
settlers. While this is an ideal environment for the pigs, these animals are a serious threat to the rest of the valley.
, hala (Pandanus tectorius
), and pasture
. Further up the valley, in the wetter areas, the dominant vegetation consists of mountain apple (Syzygium malaccense), strawberry guava
(Psidium littorale), ti (Cordyline fruticosa) and bamboo
.
is also permitted within designated boundaries on weekends and holidays only, and by permit only.
Windward and leeward
Windward is the direction upwind from the point of reference. Leeward is the direction downwind from the point of reference. The side of a ship that is towards the leeward is its lee side. If the vessel is heeling under the pressure of the wind, this will be the "lower side"...
side of Oahu
Oahu
Oahu or Oahu , known as "The Gathering Place", is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous of the islands in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The state capital Honolulu is located on the southeast coast...
between Kaʻaʻawa and Punaluu. The park is located mauka (up hill) from Kahana Bay
Kahana Bay
Kahana Bay and Kahana Bay Beach Park are located on the windward side of the island of Oahu in the state of Hawaii.-Description:Kahana Bay and beach park is located along the Kamehameha Highway on Oahu adjacent to Ahupua'a O Kahana State Park between Kaʻaʻawa and Punaluu...
. It is Hawaii's only public ahupuaa
Ahupua'a
In old Hawaii, ahupuaa was the common subdivision of the land. It is comparable to the tapere in the Southern Cook Islands. The traditional subdivision has four hierarchical levels:*mokupuni *moku...
, and it stretches from the sea to the tip of Puu Pauao at 2670 feet. It has a tropical climate, and it is one of the wettest areas in Oahu, averaging nearly 300 inches per year in parts of the valley. The main purpose of the park is to embrace and teach Hawaiian culture.
History
Before Western civilizationWestern culture
Western culture, sometimes equated with Western civilization or European civilization, refers to cultures of European origin and is used very broadly to refer to a heritage of social norms, ethical values, traditional customs, religious beliefs, political systems, and specific artifacts and...
came to the islands, Kahana had a strong community. It had fresh water, abundant seafood, and a stable supply of taro
Taro
Taro is a common name for the corms and tubers of several plants in the family Araceae . Of these, Colocasia esculenta is the most widely cultivated, and is the subject of this article. More specifically, this article describes the 'dasheen' form of taro; another variety is called eddoe.Taro is...
, which was grown in fields with advanced irrigation
Irrigation
Irrigation may be defined as the science of artificial application of water to the land or soil. It is used to assist in the growing of agricultural crops, maintenance of landscapes, and revegetation of disturbed soils in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall...
systems. However, around the time of King Kamehameha's
Kamehameha I
Kamehameha I , also known as Kamehameha the Great, conquered the Hawaiian Islands and formally established the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1810. By developing alliances with the major Pacific colonial powers, Kamehameha preserved Hawaii's independence under his rule...
unification of Hawaii in the 1800s, the community fell into steep decline due to foreign diseases, sugarcane
Sugarcane
Sugarcane refers to any of six to 37 species of tall perennial grasses of the genus Saccharum . Native to the warm temperate to tropical regions of South Asia, they have stout, jointed, fibrous stalks that are rich in sugar, and measure two to six metres tall...
cultivation and the military's use of the valley as a World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
jungle warfare
Jungle warfare
Jungle warfare is a term used to cover the special techniques needed for military units to survive and fight in jungle terrain.It has been the topic of extensive study by military strategists, and was an important part of the planning for both sides in many conflicts, including World War II and the...
training center, through the arrival of Europeans. In the early 1900s most of the valley was owned by Mary E. Foster, and after her death the valley was given to Bishop Estate. The state proposed a purchase of the ahupua'a, which was rejected. The Foster estate was not satisfied with the purchase plan, which was for $5,000,000 being paid 1 million per year for 5 years, as the then current legislature could not ensure future payments. The state forced the purchase through condemnation, later fulfilling their debt. The land later became a state park
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
. Today, only 31 families live in the valley.
Fauna
Kahana State Park supports a wide variety of birds and fish. Oopu naniha (StenogobiusStenogobius
Stenogobius is a genus of fish in the Gobiidae family.It contains the following species:*Stenogobius alleni*Stenogobius beauforti*Stenogobius blokzeyli*Stenogobius caudimaculosus*Stenogobius fehlmanni*Stenogobius genivittatus...
hawaiiensis), a native freshwater fish, can be found in the streams of the lower valley. Amaama (flathead mullet
Flathead mullet
The flathead mullet, Mugil cephalus, is a mullet of the genus Mugil, found in coastal tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. Its length is typically 30 to 75 centimeters...
, Mugil cephalus) and milkfish
Milkfish
The milkfish is the sole living species in the family Chanidae. - Description and biology :...
(Chanos chanos) are common in the Huilua Fishpond
Huilua Fishpond
Huilua Fishpond, in Ahupuaa O Kahana State Park on windward Oʻahu, is one of the few surviving ancient Hawaiian fishponds that were still operational well into the 20th century. It was declared a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1962, shortly after it had been severely damaged by the 1960 tsunami...
. Bird species that can be found in the lower valley include Pacific Golden Plover
Pacific Golden Plover
The Pacific Golden Plover is a medium-sized plover.The 23–26 cm long breeding adult is spotted gold and black on the crown, back and wings. Its face and neck are black with a white border and it has a black breast and a dark rump. The legs are black...
(Pluvialis fulva) , Ruddy Turnstone
Ruddy Turnstone
The Ruddy Turnstone is a small wading bird, one of two species of turnstone in the genus Arenaria. It is now classified in the sandpiper family Scolopacidae but was formerly sometimes placed in the plover family Charadriidae...
(Arenaria interpres), Sanderling
Sanderling
The Sanderling is a small wader. It is a circumpolar Arctic breeder, and is a long-distance migrant, wintering south to South America, South Europe, Africa, and Australia...
(Calidris alba), Wandering Tattler
Wandering Tattler
The Wandering Tattler, Tringa incana , is a medium-sized wading bird. It is similar in appearance to the closely related Gray-tailed Tattler, T. brevipes...
(Tringa incana), aukuu (Black-crowned Night Heron
Black-crowned Night Heron
The Black-crowned Night Heron commonly abbreviated to just Night Heron in Eurasia, is a medium-sized heron found throughout a large part of the world, except in the coldest regions and Australasia .-Description:Adults are...
, Nycticorax nycticorax), alae keokeo (Hawaiian Coot
Hawaiian Coot
The Hawaiian Coot or alae keokeo is a species of bird in the rail family, Rallidae, that is endemic to Hawaii....
, Fulica alai), and alae ula
Common Moorhen
The Common Moorhen is a bird in the Rallidae family with an almost worldwide distribution. The North and South American Committees of the AOU and the IOC have voted on or before July 2011 to split the American forms into a new species Common Gallinule, however, no other committee has voted to...
(Hawaiian Moorhen, Gallinula chloropus sandvicensis). The last two species are endangered. In the upper valley are many native species of songbirds, such as the [[ʻApapane|apapane]] (Himatione sanguinea) and Oahu amakihi (Hemignathus flavus), along with non-native species of mynah, cardinal
Cardinal (bird)
The Cardinals or Cardinalidae are a family of passerine birds found in North and South America. The South American cardinals in the genus Paroaria are placed in another family, the Thraupidae ....
, dove
Dove
Pigeons and doves constitute the bird family Columbidae within the order Columbiformes, which include some 300 species of near passerines. In general terms "dove" and "pigeon" are used somewhat interchangeably...
and ricebird
Ricebird
Ricebird is a term that is used for a number of different birds, especially those which feed on paddy fields or on various grains . Most commonly, it refers to the:* Bobolink* Java Sparrow* Mannikins...
.
Feral pigs were introduced to the valley by the first Polynesian
Polynesians
The Polynesian peoples is a grouping of various ethnic groups that speak Polynesian languages, a branch of the Oceanic languages within the Austronesian languages, and inhabit Polynesia. They number approximately 1,500,000 people...
settlers. While this is an ideal environment for the pigs, these animals are a serious threat to the rest of the valley.
Flora
The expanse of land in Kahana Valley from the sea to the mountains contains many different vegetation zones. The lowlands consist of koa (Acacia koa), hibiscusHawaiian hibiscus
Hawaiian hibiscus are the seven known species of hibiscus regarded as native to Hawaii. Although tourists regularly associate the hibiscus flower with their experiences visiting the US state of Hawaii, and the plant family Malvaceae includes a relatively large number of species that are native to...
, hala (Pandanus tectorius
Pandanus tectorius
Pandanus tectorius is a species of Pandanus that is native to Malesia, eastern Australia, and the Pacific Islands. Common names include Thatch Screwpine, Hala , Bacua , and Vacquois ....
), and pasture
Pasture
Pasture is land used for grazing. Pasture lands in the narrow sense are enclosed tracts of farmland, grazed by domesticated livestock, such as horses, cattle, sheep or swine. The vegetation of tended pasture, forage, consists mainly of grasses, with an interspersion of legumes and other forbs...
. Further up the valley, in the wetter areas, the dominant vegetation consists of mountain apple (Syzygium malaccense), strawberry guava
Strawberry guava
Psidium cattleianum, named in honour of notable English horticulturist Sir William Cattley, commonly known as Cattley guava or Peruvian guava, is a small tree , bearing small red or yellow fruit, which are somewhat sour but sometimes eaten or made into jam...
(Psidium littorale), ti (Cordyline fruticosa) and bamboo
Bamboo
Bamboo is a group of perennial evergreens in the true grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family....
.
Hiking
There are two hiking trails in the valley, both of which do not require permits and are suitable for whole families. The first is Kapa'ele'ele Ko'a and Keaniani Lookout Trail. It is a mile long loop that takes a decent hiker roughly an hour. The second is the Nakoa Trail, which is named so for the numerous koa (Acacia koa) found along this 2.5-mile trail through tropical rainforest. Hikers on this trail can swim in the Kahana stream, which is traversed twice.Camping and Hunting
There are ten campsites located on the beach which can be used by permit only. HuntingHunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
is also permitted within designated boundaries on weekends and holidays only, and by permit only.
See also
- List of Hawaiian state parks