About Maunawili
The earliest existing photographic image of Maunawili, 1865, by Charles Leander Weed. (© Bishop Museum, from the book Kailua, published by the Kailua Historical Society, 2009, p. 90.)
Maunawili Valley in the ahupuaʻa (land division) of Kailua is home to irreplaceable resources which are critical to the health and welfare of the people of Hawaiʻi today and to future generations. These biocultural resources include ancient and historic sites, critical water resources, important agricultural lands, native and endangered species, and historic trails and roads.
Ancient and Historic Sites
Grinding Stone. (© Piliāmo‘o)
A petroglyph with human figures on a lo‘i terrace near 'Ainoni Stream within the historic Boyd Ranch property. (© Piliāmo‘o)
Maunawili is celebrated in story and chant for its association with Akua (gods), Aliʻi (chiefs), cultural heroes, and important historical figures, including Queen Liliʻuokalani. Ancient and historic sites throughout Maunawili include heiau (temple or sacred site), sacred stones, petroglyphs, Hawaiian burials, alanui (path or trail), house sites, grinding stones, irrigated and dryland agricultural terraces, large ʻauwai (irrigation ditches) related to extensive loʻi (taro patches), and 19th and early 20th century structures related to agriculture and food production.
Water Resources
Maunawili stream is the largest stream in the Kailua ahupuaʻa and the longest in the entire district of Koʻolaupoko. (© Piliāmo‘o)
Maunawili Valley contains wetlands, streams, and freshwater springs that provide most of the water that flows to the Kawainui Marsh ecosystem before entering the ocean at Kailua Bay. Hydrologically, Maunawili is part of the economic, ecological, and cultural resources of Kawainui Marsh, separated only by the highway. The health of Kawainui, now a designated Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, is dependent on the health of the mauka Maunawili lands.
Maunawili Valley contains wetlands, streams, and more than 50 freshwater springs that provide the largest natural water source flowing into the Kawainui Marsh ecosystem. Click to enlarge.
Important Agricultural Lands
Hoʻokuaʻāina in Maunawili uses Hawaiian traditions of kalo (taro) cultivation and offers educational programs, internships, and mentorships to help youth develop life strategies and skills. In one recent month they pulled over 3,700 pounds of kalo and produced more than 1,300 pounds of poi.
Farmer with water buffalo at intersection of Auloa Road and Kalaniana‘ole Highway, early 1950s. (Hedemann family collection)
In ancient times, Maunawili was extensively farmed in kalo and other crops and the kalo from the area was famed for its sweetness and specifically requested by the Aliʻi. From its earliest settlement until the early 1980s (before the development of the golf course), land use in Maunawili was primarily agricultural. Today the lands HRT/Weinberg proposes to subdivide include 50% of the land in Kailua zoned Agriculture and almost all of Kailua’s Hanalei series soil, the richest and most fertile soil in the islands.
With its natural stream flow and access to markets, Maunawili has the potential to resume its traditional role as a place of abundant agriculture, including kalo and other healthy crops, to increase local food production and local food security. Recently kalo farmers near HRT/Weinberg land in Maunawili have demonstrated that this land can not only produce kalo and other healthy crops but also be a place of learning for youth and families.
Plowing and Planting Rice 1926. (E.O. Goldbeck, Photography Collection, Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, University of Texas at Austin.)
Native and Endangered Species
Hawaiian hoary bat. (Source: www.hawaiireporter.com, 2011)
Maunawili is the natural habitat for native and endangered species including three species of Hawaiian damselflies, the ‘ōpe‘ape‘a or Hawaiian hoary bat, O‘ahu ‘elepaio, and many native plants such as ‘akoko, ‘ohe‘ohe, alani, and hāhā. In addition, several endangered species of Hawaiian waterbirds traverse the area seeking water and nesting areas.
Historic Trails and Roads
Ancient Hawaiian rock-paved road. (© Piliāmo‘o)
Maunawili Falls Trail. (Source: Trip Advisor)
Numerous historic trails and roads traverse Maunawili. These include Olomana trail, Maunawili falls trail, Old Government Road and other historic trails. Some of these trails are no longer accessible because they are on private land. Others are open to the public and heavily promoted on social media but they have not been managed or cared for in decades. The end result is overuse, trampling of ecosystems, severe soil erosion, numerous injuries, emergency evacuations of hikers, and unacceptably negative impacts on neighboring residential areas. In the words of one Native Hawaiian resident of Maunawili, “Hawaiians have a term for this. It is called hana‘ino. It means to mistreat, abuse, mutilate, injure, treat cruelly or carelessly.”
Hui Maunawili-Kawainui supports managed and restricted access to these historic trails which urgently need protection. Thoughtful management plans must be prepared to protect and preserve Maunawili’s many important resources, including historic roads and trails.