Category Archives: Hawaiian History

Kohala Ditch

The Kohala Ditch was built in the early 1900s to carry water from the wet slopes of Kohala Mountain, to the sometimes drought-prone sugar cane fields of Kohala. A series of tunnels, flumes and ditches channeled water through ridges and over gullies for a distance of 14 miles.

After the sugar cane industry folded, ditch water continued to be used by other agricultural activities. But this valuable resource was always beset by difficulties. The challenging landscape was prone to landslides and flooding. Flumes were washed away, tunnels blocked. Increasingly expensive and time-consuming repairs did not provide the same economic benefit they once did.

After one such event, a few years ago, the operator of the ditch said it would no longer be repaired and maintained.

The Kohala Ditch in North Kohala, Hawaii, overgrown with vegetation

The top photo shows a section of the ditch in 2016. The others show how it looks today, in places, overgrown with weeds and even trees. In some areas it’s more manicured by those living next to it. In the meantime, access to water is a considerable problem, especially as dry weather is increasingly common in the area.

The Kohala Ditch in North Kohala, Hawaii, is currently without water — An arrangement to control the flow and level of water in the ditch.

The current Governor of Hawaii knows this region well and money has been earmarked for finding a solution to the area’s water shortage, but when and how that happens is still very much in the pipeline!

For more information about the history of the Kohala Ditch, go to fluminkohala.com/the-kohala-ditch.

Offering at Keokea

An offering at Keokae Beach Park IN Hawaii

On my recent visit to Keokea Beach Park, I saw this on the rocky shore. It’s hard to know who placed it there. It could have been a local, but it could also have been a tourist. Tourists have taken to making such offerings, thinking they’re honoring Hawaiian culture. But they’re blissfully unaware that, in Hawaiian culture, the when, where, why, how, and by whom of these things can be very specific. Any deviation from correct practices can turn a good intention into an insult.

A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing, except perhaps in politics, where it appears to be a prerequisite these days!

Orange is the new theme

A Passion vine butterfly spreads its wings

This month’s Sunday Stills color challenge theme is ‘Orange and Gold.’ See more responses here. First up is a very orange Passion Vine Butterfly taking a break.

Next, orange is the official color of the island of Lanai, represented here at this year’s Kamehameha Day celebrations.

A rider at the Kamehameha Day parade in Kapaau, Hawaii

Fish swim in one of the golden pools at Keawaiki, Hawaii — A spot of gold at Keawaiki.

An orange Bitter Melon fruit in Hawaii — A spot of gold at Keawaiki.

When I was putting this post together a few days ago, I thought a sunset photo would be a nice way to wrap it up. I trolled through my files before picking a suitable one out, and was on the verge of processing it, when I happened to glance out of the window and saw this developing. Another reminder to live in the present and not the past!

I think I can make it

Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park seen from the water

This week’s Sunday Stills challenge theme is ‘Celebrations.’ See more responses here. Since I rarely take photos of people, the usual options for this one were off the table. So I’ve gone with some photos from Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park.

This site is also known as Place of Refuge and it represented guaranteed forgiveness for those who had broken kapu. The park’s website (here) notes, “Kapu (sacred law) regulated fishing, planting, and the harvesting of other resources. Any breaking of kapu disturbed the stability of society, and the punishment was often death. Any fugitive who had broken kapu could seek refuge and forgiveness within the walls of the Puʻuhonua.” The refuge is bordered by a huge L-shaped wall on land and by the ocean on the other sides.

Hale o Keawe at Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park.

I imagine some such unfortunate swimming across Honaunau Bay. The palm trees look welcoming, but this is a sacred place, home to Hawaiian royalty, and to important ceremonial sites. One of these is Hale o Keawe, situated at the northern end of the wall, a place of powerful mana, or divine power. It is home to many ki’i, representations of “the akua, or the multitude of Hawaiian gods, deities, and venerated ancestors.” The refuge is on the other side of the Hale.

Ki'i at Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park in Hawaii

These ki’i would look down on the miscreant swimming toward them, growing in size as they got closer. But so too would the welcoming palm trees and though it is a rocky shore, a few cuts and scrapes would be a small price to pay for salvation.

Palm trees at Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park in Hawaii

Once ashore, forgiveness was guaranteed and the person was free to reenter society and rejoin family and friends, who would no doubt celebrate the return.

Hello, yellow

A full moon rises over Hawaii — A buttery yellow full moon rises over North Kohala.

This month’s Sunday Stills Color Challenge theme is ‘Yellow.’ See more responses here. Once again, I’ve gone for a melange of photos, which sounds edible, but probably isn’t. Captions on the photos.

A rider representing Oahu at the King Kamehameha day parade in Kapaau, Hawaii — *Yellow is the official color for Oahu and the island’s Pa’u rider …*

A Bee on a wedelia flower in Hawaii — A bee forages on a wedelia flower

A yellow hibiscus in Hawaii — A bee forages on a wedelia flower

A wasp heads for water in Hawaii — Finally a photo from a couple of days ago. A boldly-marked wasp zooms in to collect water.

A fluke photo

The fluke of an old anchor underwater off Hawaii

An old anchor fluke, that has been in the ocean well over a hundred years.

Bond Library restoration

Restoration work at the old Bond Library in Kapaau, Hawaii

A sign at the old Bond Library in Kapaau, Hawaii

Back in 2019, I posted a bit about the old Bond Library (here), mentioning that there were plans to convert the old Bond Memorial Library to a cultural/historical museum.

When I was down that way a few weeks ago, I found that work is now underway on that project. The overgrown area around the building has been mostly cleared and it looks like the roof is receiving attention. The rest of the building looks pretty much unchanged, though.

I have to say that the $1,000,000 project goal seems steep for fixing the building, but I have no idea what construction costs are these days.

Windows at the old Bond Library in Kapaau, Hawaii

Painted Lady Butterfly and Ma’o flower

A Painted Lady Butterfly on a milo flower in Hawaii

These photos were taken at Lapakahi State Historical Park. This year, North Kohala was awash with Painted Lady Butterflies and the park was no exception. The butterflies were all over the Ma’o flowers and pretty much anything else that came into bloom.

Painted Lady Butterflies on a milo flower in Hawaii

Graham's Island

Life on the Big Island of Hawaii