Helumoa One Page

WAIKĪKĪ, KONA, O'AHU

HELUMOA

Kūihelani Kūihelani was the name of Kamehameha’s kauhale or residential compound at Puaʻaliʻiliʻi. This is the area between the mouth of ʻĀpuakēhau stream (today the location of the Moana Hotel) and Helumoa (the Royal Hawaiian Hotel). Instead of the typical hale pili, Kamehameha built a stone house, enclosed by a fence. His kauhale at Waikīkī was large and could accommodate his entire royal party, which was estimated to be around 100 people at any given time. For the next dozen years or so, Waikīkī, Kona on Hawaiʻi Island), and Lāhaina on Maui alternated as capitals for Kamehameha. Kamehameha’s residence in Waikīkī would be passed down through the Kamehameha line until it reached Lot Kapuāiwa, King Kamehameha V, who bequeathed it to Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani. Ruth then bequeathed it to her beloved cousin, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. The Bishops remodeled Lot’s one-bedroom thatched cottage into a large house with accessory buildings. When Pauahi sickened with breast cancer in 1884 and just two weeks prior to her passing, she went to her Helumoa home to convalesce. It was thought that the warmer weather of the area would be more comfortable and conducive for her rehabilitation. The Helumoa property had once been Lot Kapuāiwa’s summer residence and had a hale lama built upon it. The presence of a hale lama may have been part of the reason Helumoa was suggested for the Princess’ recovery; hale lama were structures built from the wood of the lama tree, Diospyros sandwicensis, which was believed to have healing and enlightening properties. Hale lama were often used as convalescence homes, especially for aliʻi. One of the meanings of the word “lama” is “light” or “lighted,” and hale lama had to be built between sun-up and sun-down, so that after the gloom of sickness a patient could come out into the light and rest there. Unfortunately, all the attempts made medically and spiritually were not enough to heal the Princess. Yet Pauahi’s mind was never far from her lāhui; it was at Helumoa that she added the last codicil of her will that forbade trustees of her estate to sell her lands, except in very limited capacities and adhering to set restrictions, thus protecting her legacy for centuries to come. Charles sought to protect Helumoa as part of Pauahi’s estate knowing its significance. Kūihelani (lit., standing at Helani) was the name of Kamehameha’s kauhale (residential compound) at Puaʻaliʻiliʻi (lit., little pig). This is the area between the mouth of ʻĀpuakēhau stream (the Moana Hotel) and Helumoa (Royal Hawaiian Hotel). Instead of the typical hale pili, Kamehameha built a stone house, enclosed by a fence. His kauhale at Waikīkī was large and could accommodate his entire royal party which is estimated to be around 100 people at any given time. Kamehameha was in Waikīkī to consolidate his control of Oʻahu and use Waikīkī as a deployment area for his assault on Kauaʻi. When Kamehameha left Oʻahu in September 1796, Waikiki’s short reign as capital of the kingdom was ended, at least until his next visit. For the next dozen years or so, Waikīkī, Kona (Hawaiʻi Island), and Lahaina alternated as capitals as Kamehameha spent long periods of time in each place.

Kawehewehe: The Healing Waters of Waikīkī Kawehewehe The place name Kawehewehe, cited by ‘Ī‘ī (1959:93) and in the Māhele records, is also of note. It does not only identify a land area in Waikīkī; according to Hawaiian scholars, it also names: [The] Reef entrance and channel off Grey’s Beach, just east of the Hale-kū-lani Hotel, Wai-kīkī, Honolulu. The sick were bathed here as treatment. The patient might wear a seaweed (limu-kala) lei and leave it in the water as a request that his sins be forgiven, the lei being a symbol. Lit., the removal. (Pukui et al. 1974:99) The līpōa seaweed of Waikīkī, especially at Kawehewehe, was so fragrant that one could smell it while standing on the shore. It was often mentioned in mo‘olelo about Waikīkī, including the following saying (Pukui 1983:246): Na līpoa ‘ala o Kawehewehe. The fragrant līpōa of Kawehewehe.

Hanohano Helumoa Manu Boyd Hanohano Helumoa i ka lawe mālie A ke ahe lau makani e holunape mau nei ‘O ka ulu niu malu kū kilakila Kohukohu pae kāhili no Kuihelani Hanohano Helumoa Ka moani ‘a‘ala o Kawehewehe Līpoa i milia i ka ‘ehu o ke kai I laila ka ‘i‘ini o Pauahi ali‘i No ke ola mauli hiwa o ke kulaiwi Hanohano Helumoa Ka nenehe lau niu ku‘u mele ia No ka ‘āina uluwehiwehi o Waikīkī Ha‘ina ka puana e lohe mau ‘ia Hanohano Helumoa i ka‘u ‘ike Hanohano Helumoa i ka‘u ‘ike Hanohano Helumoa i ka‘u ‘ike Glorious is Helumoa, carrying gently On the soft breeze, swaying with poise The grove of sheltering coconut trees stands majestically Like a cluster of royal kāhili at Kūihelani Distinguished is Helumoa The fragrances of Kawehewehe fill the air Līpoa mingled with sea spray There, Princess Pauahi’s dream was realized To nurture the precious lives of her people Honored is Helumoa The rustling of the coconut fronds compliments my song For the festively attractive lands of Helumoa May the refrain be heard over and over again Glorious is Helumoa in my opinion

Helumoa is located in Waikīkī, O’ahu on the grounds of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Sheraton Waikīkī, and Royal Hawaiian Center. This wahi pana or special place is of personal significance to the Bishops which Charles sought especially to protect. Pauahiʻs Helumoa estate is both culturally and historically significant and was passed down to her through her Kamehameha lineage. There are several stories attributed to the naming of this area as Helumoa, which can be understood to mean “chicken scratch.” The most famous moʻolelo of this particular area is about the supernatural chicken, named Kaʻauhelemoa, who flew from Kaʻau Crater in Pālolo and landed at Helumoa. Furiously scratching into the earth, the impressive rooster then vanished. Kākuhihewa took this as an omen and planted niu (coconuts) at that very spot. Helumoa (meaning “chicken scratch”) was the name he bestowed on that niu planting that would multiply into a grove of reportedly 10,000 coconut trees.