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Dividing the Land

The islands of Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe form a geographical unit. (At one time, it is said, the islands were part of one large island known as Maui Nui.) Certainly, the islands have been considered a political unit since ancient times. On the old maps, Lanai was sometimes called a kalana (the equivalent of a county) of Maui. On one map Kahoolawe was placed in the koolau district of Maui.

In 1859, the twelve districts of the island of Maui were reduced to four. Kaanapali was combined with Lahaina and the island of Kahoolawe was added to it to make one district. The traditional ahupuaas of Waihee, Waiehu, Wailuku, and Waikapu still made up the Wailuku district, but for some reason, the ancient district of Honuaula was added to it, even though Honuaula was separated from Wailuku by the intervening traditional district of Kula. The traditional East Maui districts of Kahikinui, Kaupo, Kipahulu, Hana and Koolau were consolidated into one district and called Hana. The traditional districts of central East Maui, Hamakualoa, Hamakuapoko, and Kula were combined to form another district which came to be call Makawao. Molokai was apparently a separate district, unattached to one of the other Maui districts.

In 1909, the islands of Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe were again divided, this time into six districts. The Honuaula area was taken away from the Wailuku district and became a part of the Makawao district. Kahoolawe was transferred to the Makawao district as well. Meanwhile, the island of Lanai was added to the Lahaina district. Molokai was divided into two district - Molokai district and Kalawao district which included Kalaupapa, Kalawao and Waikolu, which were then commonly known as "the Leper Settlement."

In the intervening years, there have been additional adjustments as well. The evolution of the map of the island and division of the land continues to this day. Old names for an area fall in disuse. A name for a small part of one area comes to refer to the entire area. A new name is coined to refer to some new phase of land use or land development. The face of the map keeps changing, continuing to reflect population shifts and the passage of time as the land continues to be divvied up this way and that.

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Standard English:  We had a nice conversation.
Braddah-Nics:  Us guys was talking story.

Standard English:  I laughed a lot.
Braddah-Nics: Only bus' laugh.

Standard English:  Would you please look at this?
Braddah-Nics:  Try look....

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Lomi Lomi Salmon
Yield: 2 Servings

Ingredients:

4 oz Smoked salmon; finely chopped
1/2 cup Green onion; sliced
1/2 cup Tomato; peeled, chopped
2 Tb Green pepper; chopped

Mix all ingredients together with hands. Chill well before serving.

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Pa'u-o-Hi'iaka

Pa'u-o-Hi'iaka is a sprawling vine that is common in the still-wild coastal areas of Hawai'i. You often see it very near the ocean interlaced with 'ilima papa, another native coastal plant prized by lei makers. In beautiful contrast to the bright orange flowers of 'ilima, the abundant tubular flowers of pa'u-o-Hi'iaka are light blue, purple or white. Despite its coastal nature, this native vine grows equally well in inland gardens provided it receives at least some direct sunlight and is not over watered.

While Hawaiians of the past used pa'u-o-Hi'iaka for curing keiki (children) of ea (thrush, a mouth disease), this plant is better known for the mo'oleo (story) that explains its name. Long ago, Pele, the volcano goddess, took her youngest sister, Hi'iaka, to the ocean. As Pele was out amongst the waves fishing, or some say surfing, the sun climbed higher and hotter in the sky. Meanwhile, Hi'iaka waited patiently on the shoreline for her sister. A plant near Hi'iaka, seeing that the keiki's tender young skin was being burned by the sun's merciless rays, took pity upon Hi'iaka and extended its viney branches to shield her. When Pele returned from the ocean, she discovered Hi'iaka covered, and protected, by the plant. In gratitude, Pele gave the plant its name, pa'u (skirt) -o-Hi'iaka (of Hi'iaka), my baby sister.
 
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Nahiku

One of the wettest places along the coast, Nahiku is the site of Hanawi Stream, one of the 70 remaining pristine streams in the over 600 watersheds of Hawaii. The residents of Nahiku remember when numerous taro patches flourished in the area, before the lack of water (caused by the diversion of the resource to other areas) prevented further cultivation. The residents continue to fight against the additional diversion of Hanawi Stream, fearing the threat to the environment, the stream, and to the native shrimp, opae ula.

They also remember that Nahiku was one of the most progressive of the eastern districts, being the first place in Hawaii to accommodate people from outside the islands, the first to open a bank and the first to have running water.

At the turn of this century, the Nahiku Rubber Company started a rubber industry, the only commercial plantation attempted in the United States. Over 25,000 rubber trees were planted and during the high years of the industry, Nahiku supported a complete village with an extensive population, served by a store, churches of several denominations and a school.

After about 15 years, the venture failed. Some said it was due to high labor costs. Others say the rubber trees wouldn't grow well in Nahiku. Attempts to grow bananas and other crops commercially also failed and most of the people moved away from the area. During World War II, efforts were made unsuccessfully to revive the rubber industry and support the war effort.

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