IOW president moʻolelo

My dad told me one day that we were “going on tour” with an archaeologist. Joining a few other people, we spent the morning and afternoon with Dr. William “Pila” Kikuchi as he brought us to several heiau within the Wailua ahupuaʻa. He called the area Wailuanuiahoʻāno, a name that was new to me, but sparked my interest in learning more about other traditional names and wahi pana (significant places) in this ahupuaʻa. 

I was raised in Wailua, and have ties to this ʻāina through my paternal great-great-grandmother who was born and raised here. The former Coco Palms Hotel is just a few minutes away from where I grew up. I can recall spending evenings with my dad listening to The Peter Moon Band play music in their restaurant, dancing hula for weddings at the chapel, and visiting the zoo. (Yes, Kauaʻi had a zoo!) This place has such a significant history for our island, but Wailua also has a history that is much richer than the 39 years it hosted a hotel. 

After my time with Dr. Kikuchi, I made it a goal to learn as much as I could about my ahupuaʻa. I learned how significant this place is to the culture and history of Kauaʻi. The name Wailuanuiahoʻāno means “great, sacred Wailua,” and it is where the Aliʻi (chiefs) lived, gave birth, and raised future generations of Kauaʻi rulers. Aliʻi such as Moʻikeha, Laʻamaikahiki, Kawelo, Kaumualiʻi, and Deborah Kapule are all names that are tied to the history of Wailua. It is an ʻāina momona, a land of wealth and resources, with loko iʻa (fishponds), loʻi (taro fields), coconut groves, and abundant koʻa (fishing grounds). 

When I think of Wailua, I think of possibilities where these resources are restored and protected for future generations. I think of those future generations knowing the names of their Aliʻi, the names of the heiau and other cultural sites, and gladly carrying the kuleana to share their stories. I hope that you also have similar stories of aloha for this ʻāina and its culture. We invite you to share with us to give ola, to give life, to the ahupuaʻa of Wailua. I ola Wailuanui!

Me ke aloha

Pualiʻiliʻimaikalani Rossi-Fukino

President, I Ola Wailuanui