Koaʻekea
Waipiʻo Valley Lookout
Koaʻekea
Waipiʻo Valley Lookout
Koaʻekea is the area at the Waipiʻo Valley Lookout, imbued with historical & cultural significance. The land we steward is a County of Hawaiʻi Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC) parcel, which stands above the descent into Waipiʻo Valley with a magnificent view of Waipiʻo Valley below. Pōhāhā I Ka Lani hosts groups, classes, and workshops at the site for land stewardship and cultural education.
Site Description
Koaʻekea is an ʻili (small land section) that has deep cultural history and sits at the gateway to Waipiʻo Valley, being the last property at the Waipio Lookout before descending into the valley. In an effort to protect this important area from development, the 1.804 acre property at the lookout was purchased in 2006 for over $900,000 by the County of Hawaiʻi Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC) program through efforts of Waipiʻo Valley and Kukuihaele community members. Koaekea became the first parcel purchased with the established community intent to protect and preserve the cultural and scenic integrity of the Waipiʻo and Kukuihaele area.
The PONC program is a County of Hawaiʻi voter initiative that funds the purchase and maintenance of community identified lands. The PONC program is funded currently by 2% of property taxes, and was established by a voter referendum.
Purchase and therefore usage of the PONC property needs be “for public outdoor recreation and education”, specifically for one of the following:
(A) Access to beaches and mountains;
(B) Preservation of historic or culturally important land areas and sites;
(C) Protection of natural resources, significant habitat or eco-systems, including buffer zones;
(D) Preservation of forests, beaches, coastal areas, natural beauty and agricultural lands; and
(E) Protection of watershed lands to preserve water quality and water supply.
[Hawaiʻi County Charter Section 10-15 (c) (1)]
All PONC lands “shall be held in perpetuity for the use and enjoyment of the people of Hawai‘i County and may not be sold, mortgaged, traded or transferred in any way.” (Hawaiʻi County Charter Section 10-15 (h)).
Moʻolelo
The cultural place name of Koaʻekea returned through Pōhāhā I Ka Lani stewardship of the Waipiʻo Valley Lookout PONC property. Koaekea is mentioned in many mythical and historical accounts as the gateway to Waipio, a place to prepare for the descent into the sacred valley of the kings.
The name “Koaʻekea” comes from multiple sources:
- Koaʻekea, the indigenous white-tailed tropic bird bird (Phaethon lepturus dorotheae) that frequents the area.
- Koaʻekea is a specific ʻili (a small land section) within a larger ahupuaʻa (land division from mountain to sea). [NOTE: Lālākea is another name for this land section.]
- Koaʻekea is described in ancient mele (song) & moʻolelo (oral stories).
- Koaʻekea is a place of significance to the story of Waipiʻo’s most famous aliʻi (chief), ʻUmi-a-liloa
Pōhāhā I Ka Laniʻs PONC Stewardship at Koaʻekea
Pōhāhā I Ka Lani has been humbly awarded the first ever Hawaiʻi County Public Open Spaces and Natural Resource Preservation Commission (PONC) Stewardship Grant for the Waipiʻo Lookout PONC Property, also known as Koaʻekea. Pōhāhā I Ka Lani began stewardship in 2016, and through volunteer efforts of Pōhāhā I Ka Lani members, community members, and also contracted services, Koaʻekea transformed from an overgrown grass, complete canopy of invasive trees, and profuse amounts of trash & debris strewn all over to an inviting cultural & community place.
Pōhāhā I Ka Laniʻs programs utilizes the Waipiʻo Lookout PONC property in the Koaʻekea area for service learning groups, classes, and workshops to maintain the site for the public as a cultural open space while preserving itʻs natural beauty. The long range vision of Pōhāhā I Ka Lani is to transform and integrate TMK 4-8-04:06, and possibly lands in the Waipiʻo Preservation Buffer, into a permanent Hawaiian Preservation Buffer and Learning Zone, which preservers the rural, Hawaiian character of the Waipiʻo Lookout and Kukuihaele area and protects historic Waipiʻo Valley.
PONC maintenance funds provided in stewardship grants Pōhāhā I Ka Lani has received since 2016 are only able to be used “to preserve the land, promote public safety, and maintain a healthy stewardship” (Hawaiʻi County Charter Section 10-16 (a)) according to 17 specific expense categories (Hawaiʻi County Charter Section 10-16 (g)).
Hōʻola iā Koaʻekea, Malama ia Koaʻekea
Give Life to Koeʻekea, Take care of Koaʻekea
Pōhāhā I Ka Laniʻs programs are to enhance the cultural integrity of the ‘Ili of Koa’ekea and the Ahupua’a of Waipi’o Valley through the cultural education and activities provided. Hundreds of island residents and visitors arrive each day to see Waipi’o Valley, therefore the stewardship of Koaʻekea throug our programs have a naturally high visibility and potential impact. Island visitors and many island residents who visit Waipi’o Valley are not aware of the deep cultural and historical significance of Waipi’o Valley and Koa’ekea, and the project will allow them to gain greater cultural respect, appreciation, and sense of place.
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WAYS
TO
GIVE
100% OF YOUR DONATION SUPPORTS THE SUSTAINABILITY OF OUR PROGRAMS
Help us continue our work of stewarding sacred lands of Waipiʻo Valley and promoting indigenous Hawaiian culture.
Every dollar matters. Together we can restore our ʻāina and community to health and abundance.
Sign up to donate financially, either one-time or recurring donations (tiers with perks & recognition). Donate
Purchase our merchandise such as shirts, hats, sweaters/hoodies, stickers, and healings oils & salves. Shop