Honokahua Bay: A Favorite Bay of King Pi'ilani

An online magazine dedicated to the Hawaiian history of Honokahua Maui, the ancient land division that became Kapalua Resort

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Honokahua Bay:

favorite bay of King Pi‘ilani July, 2007

“The Bay at the Ritz” and “The Bay at Fleming Beach Park” are modern monikers for the largest bay of northwest

Maui, Honokahua Bay.

In ancient times this bay,

north of Makāluapuna Point was the port for

all

northwest Maui

ploring the Name Honokahua

Mary Kawena Pukui translates Honokahua

place name as “foundation bay.”

Hono

is a

suffix word that refers to the low land be-

tween two ridges. In the upland, a valley

usually called ke awāwa, and a valley

with

a running stream is called ke kahawai,

but

the mouth of the valley, where the

lowland

forms a crescent at the shore and

ridges end

in points that jut into the sea,

the term is

hono. Therefore, some bays

are rightly named

hono and some are not.

Kahua

is a word meaning “foundation” or

an open place for camping or sports. It was

often used as a term for an encampment of

warriors. The broad flat slopes above

Honokahua Bay might have been

used for some of these activities. We know that in the battles of 1738, Alapa‘i camped his Hawai‘i Island troops at

Honokahua, and some of the fighting occurred here. Many fallen warriors are buried at the Honkahua Preservation

Site

ve the bay.

In all of Ka‘ānapali district, these foundation lands of Honokahua w

ere probably

the most

suitable for Makahiki games.

Six Bays of King Pi‘ilani

In northwest Maui, the district the ancients called Ka’ānapali there are six hono bays, which are legendary:

from South to North, Honokōwai (bay drawing fresh water), Honokeana (cave bay), Honokahua, Honolua (two

bays), Honokōhau (bay drawing dew), and Hononānā (aggressive bay). Collectively, these picturesque and

productive bays are called

Na Hono A Pi‘ilani

, The Bays of Pi‘ilani. King Pi‘ilani, who ruled Maui in the early 16th

century, loved these bays and frequently came here with his court to relax, fish, and surf. It was a common practice of

Hawaiian Kings to take a large retinue of family, advisors, and punahele (favored companions) to a special place, stay

as long as the local provisions lasted and then move on to another spot.

The Lasting Legacy of King Pi'ilani

Beloved King Pi‘ilani is famous for constructing the Alaloa, a footpath that encircled West Maui. This paved

walkway, wide enough to accommodate eight warriors walking abreast, was lined with small boulders. Parts of the

original Alaloa are visible in Honolua valley and above

Route 30 as it

crosses the Pali to Ma‘alaea. In our Ka‘ānapali

district and in Lahaina district, Lower Honoapi‘ilani Road and parts of Route 30 (Honoapi‘ilani Highway) near the

beach approximately trace the route of the ancient Alaloa. King Pi‘ilani’s name and his love for these bays of

Ka‘ānapali are commemorated in the names of these modern roads. After King Pi‘ilani’s death, his son Kihapi‘ilani

ruled Maui and extended the Alaloa to encircle East Maui as well.

The Love Remains

, Honokahua Bay was the hub

the fishing village and

site of the

Makahiki celebration. What

came to light after the book was published is that Sarah Kani‘aulono Davis, the last Hawaiian to rule Honokahua,

was descended from King Pi‘ilani through Kihapi‘ilani. Sarah’s mother,

Nakai Lima‘alu‘alu

of Hawai‘i was from this

famous ali‘i blood line. Click on Nakai's name to see her family tree. This pedigree is based on mele from the

Keko'olani family archives, compiled and preserved by Dean Pua Keko'olani, who descends from Sarah Kani'aulono

Davis, and also from a line of royal Ku'auhau, Hawaiian

enealogists. How fitting that Sarah was given rule of one

of King Pi'ilani's Bays, and how precious that a present day descendant of Pi'ilani shares this truth with us.

Honokahua Bay Today

Three landmarks face Honokahua Bay, Honokahua Preservation Site, a sacred Hawaiian burial site, The Ritz-

Carlton, Kapalua, and D.T. Fleming Beach Park. The entire beach is public, as are all beaches in Hawai‘i, and because

ocean currents here can be dangerous, Life Guards are on duty every day. For a detailed description of this beach and

Honokahua inshore waters provided by Hawai‘i Life Guard Association, click here:

http://oceansafety.soest.hawaii.edu/?i=maui&bch=fleming&shid=6