Na Pe'a
_
HO'OKENA
Understanding the history of a place and the place names associated with a geographic location is critical to honoring the place and the people who live there.
Ho’okena: to satisfy thirst ( Place names of Hawaii, Pukui, Elbert, Mo’okini)
Ka-uha-ko: to drag the large intestine (Place names of Hawaii, Pukui, Elbert, Mo’okini) A chief forced his people to pull him up and down a hill on a sledge. They became exhausted and in revenge killed him by dragging him across the rocks.
The Village of Ho'okena is located 13.7 miles South along the shore from Ka'ili'ilinehe and Keauhou Bay. The upper extent of the Ahupua'a of Ho'okena however is located directly makai of the Southern boundary of the Ahupua'a of Keauhou
Ho’okena village is located on the north shore of Ka-uha-ko Bay in South Kona in the ahupua’a of Ka-uha-Ko. The ahupua’a of Ho’okena is located just to the North of the Village. (Refer to Map)
The introduction of steam ships to Hawaiian Waters caused a landing to be built at Ho’okena Village in the early 1880’s. Being more sheltered than other inlets along this South Kona coast and having a sandy beach, Ho’okena village grew into a “Sea Port” and became the second largest town in Kona. The largest being Kailua in North Kona. A paved road was built connecting Ho’okena to the main government road up mauka along with a School, Court House, Jail and stores. The streets of Ho’okena were even lit with gas lamps during the night.
The landing at the Village was named Kupa Landing in honor of Henry Cooper, road supervisor of the District of South Kona from 1871 to 1880.Ho’okena Village continued as a major sea port for Kona up until the 1930’s when trucks and improved roads Linked the more remote areas of Hawaii Island to the sea port in Hilo. By the mid 1930’s high surf had demolished Kupa landing at Ho’okena Village. Cattle continued to be shipped out of Ho’okena up until the early 1940’s.
Today a fleet of “opelu” canoes are kept along the beach at Ho’okena and Ho’okena fisherman still maintain the Opelu and Ahi Ko’a (fishing grounds) off shore.
OPELU FISHING VIDEO
In the 1890's Lot Kauwe worte this song in honor of Kupa Landing in Ho'okena Village.
KUPA LANDING
Ho`okena i ka la`i Ho'okena is peaceful
Honomû a`o nâ manu The birds flock
`Ike ia i ka lihi And look around shyly
ali`a `oe pûlale mai But don't rush
`O Kupa Landing Kupa Landing
Hanohano i ka la'i Its glorious solace
Hô`olu `ia nô Ho`okena Ho'okena is charming
Ho`oheno ka mana`o Cherished in the thoughts
Nâ kupa o ka `âina Of the natives of the land
Hô`olu i ka maka o ka malihini Charming too in the eyes
of the visitors
Kani nei, kani nei,kani nei Singing, singing, singing
A`o nâ manu Birds
U la laê, u la laê u Trilling, trilling, trilling
Hone nei, hone nei, hone nei Hone: sweet soft sound and
I Ho`okena to tease
U la laê, u la laê u