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The Needle

A few minutes’ drive from the County seat city of Wailuku is a beautiful inverted V-shaft of rock known as Iao Needle.  Iao, according to Mary Kawena Pukui, means, “supreme point (reaching to the) sky.”  It is verdant to its 2,250-foot tip.  Iao – the rock and the valley – has many stories.  Some say the rock is supposed to be the body of a handsome legendary youth who seduced Iao, the beautiful daughter of Hina and Maui, after whom the island was named. 

Surrounding the valley is a 20-mile circumference of perpendicular ridges which are mostly inaccessible.  From the summits of these high cliffs, called Pali-lele-o-koae, “cliff where tropic birds fly,” many waterfalls descend to join the stream below.

Kapela, the highest peak of the Lihau ridge, overlooking Olowalu, is believed to be the site of a famous burial cave known as Kapela-kapu-o-na-alii, “sacred Kapela of the chiefs.” Hawaiian historian Samuel Kamakau, writing in 1932 for the Hawaiian Annual, said the burial cave had two entrances – one under water and the other in the smooth cliff on the south side of the valleys. Since ancient times, he said, all of the famous kings, “those of supernatural power, men of strength, wizards and all experts belonging to the kings who practiced wizardry” were buried there. 

It is believed that the first chief to be buried in the cave at Iao was Kapawa, a noted chief of Waialua, Oahu, who was overthrown by his people, perhaps at the instigation of Paao from Samoa. (According to one source, Kapawa reigned at least 27 generations ago.) The last known chief to be buried in the cave was Kalanikuihonoikamoku who died in 1736. According to Kamakau, “there are several hundred in all who were buried there.” He says, “There is no man left of those who know Iao’s burial cave.”

There is little doubt that the cave, wherever it is, contains priceless treasures.  Royal bones were laid to rest surrounded by the sacred symbols of their rank.

In 1924, a Daughters and Sons of Hawaiian Warriors report to the Historical Commission detailed the site of a royal residence which included a place near a deep pool in the upper stream where the royal corpses were prepared for burial.

Another name for Iao Needle, it is said, is Kukae Moku, literally, “broken excrement,” a distasteful name for such a beautiful place.  Old-time residents of the Valley insisted that the name is supposed to be Kekae Moku, which probably means “standing on the boundary.”  They said this was because it was used as a lookout by warriors in ancient times.

According to Maui historian and storyteller Inez Ashdown, the valley was sacred to the chiefs.  She said an ancient prophecy warned that “if any enemy succeeded in entering Iao Valley, the Maui Kingdom would end and the ways of the people, their culture and peace would be changed by the invader.”

Iao Valley saw the bloodiest slaughter of Maui warriors at the hands of the warriors of Kamehameha’s Great Fleet, a huge armada of peleleu, war canoes.  In July, 1790, Kamehameha I beached his war canoes at Kahului, where he confronted the armies of Maui chief Kalanikupule. 

Kamakau says, “Had they fought face-to-face and hand-to-hand, as the custom was, they would have been equally matched.”   However, Kamehameha had brought along his notorious cannon, Lopaka, with men to haul it and John Young and Isaac Davis to handle it.  There was no real contest, despite the brave effort of the Maui warriors.

There was wholesale slaughter as the Maui army retreated into Iao Valley.  The retreat became a rout, and Kamehameha won the island of Maui.  The final battle was called Kauwaupali, “clawed off the cliff,” for the people who died trying to scale the cliffs to get away from the bombardment.  It was called Kepaniwai, “the damming of the waters” for the bodies that piled high in the stream.

With defeat imminent, high chiefs Kekuiapoiwa, Kalaniakua and Keopuolani were taken over the pass in Iao Valley to Olowalu while their loyal warriors covered their retreat. From Olowalu they were transported to the safe haven of Molokai.  The ancient prophecy, it seemed, had been fulfilled.

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Standard English:  That picture's hanging crooked.
Braddah-Nics:  Stay kapakahi, da pik-chah!

Standard English: Oh, will you stop gossiping?
Braddah-Nics: Eh, no talk stink, you!

Standard English:  I'm afraid I couldn't understand all of the terms he was using.
Braddah-Nics:  I don't know, man, only hybolic, da guy!

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Guava Chiffon Pie
Yield: 6 Servings

Flaky Pastry Shell
1 c Flour
1/4 tsp Salt
1/4 c Shortening
1/4 c Butter
2 Tb -cold water

Filling
1 Envelope unflavored gelatin
1 Tb Lemon juice
4 Eggs; separated
1 c Guava juice
3/4 c Sugar
Few drops red food color
1/8 tsp Cream of tartar
Sweetened whipped cream
Guava slices

Directions: Combine flour and salt. Cut in shortening and butter until lumps are pea-size. Add water and stir until mixture is moistened. Press into ball and chill 45 minutes. Roll out on floured board with well-floured or stockinette-covered rolling pin. Carefully transfer pastry to 9-inch pie plate. Pierce all over with fork. Bake at 400F 15 minutes. Cool. Meanwhile, to make filling, soften gelatin in lemon juice. Set aside. Combine egg yolks, guava juice and 1/2 cup sugar. Add a few drops red food color. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture thickens. Add gelatin mixture and stir until melted. Cool mixture until it reaches consistency of unbeaten egg whites. Beat egg whites and cream of tartar together until soft peaks form. Gradually add 1/4 cup sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Fold in gelatin mixture and pour into baked pastry shell. Chill. Top with sweetened whipped cream and garnish with guava slices. Makes 6 servings

Created by: Coco Palms Resort, Kauai, Hawaii (C) 1992 The Los Angeles Times

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Kanaha Beach Park

Kanaha Beach Park, centrally located near the airport in Kahului, is a great place to swim, get a tan, windsurf, picnic, or play volleyball. The beach area of Kanaha is a long stretch of white sandy beaches with normally calm waters. Windsurfers come to Kanaha to catch some of the wind that is predominant in this area along the shore. In addition to the beautiful beach, Kanaha has a huge shady park area equipped with showers, a sandy volleyball park, picnic tables, and ample parking. Also included in Kanaha Beach Park is a large pond that hosts some of Hawaii's protected species in a wildlife sanctuary.

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