Nāpoʻopoʻo
Ancient Village Site in Waipiʻo Valley
Nāpoʻopoʻo
Ancient Village Site in Waipiʻo Valley
the perpetuation and elevation of the continued Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) stewardship of an important wahi pana (special place) in historic Waipi’o Valley…
Site Description
Napo’opo’o is the largest ancient village site in Waipi’o Valley with over ancient terraced rock walls built by our ancestors that date back to 800-1200 A.D. and is the first stewarded land section that the waters from Hi’ilawe and its partner waterfalls flow through. Located below the famous Hiʻilawe Waterfall and still lined with the kuʻauna (rock walls surrounding taro patches) totalling over 400 taro patches in the area and 43 platforms where homes once stood.
The lower lands includes lo’i kalo (wetland taro patches), māla (dryland patches, the Hi’ilawe po’owai (diversion dam/waterhead) that feeds the auwai (irrigation channels) and mala (dryland gardens) of limited la’au (plants) due to the invasion of wild horses. These parcels have incrementally been being restored and cultivated through the years.
Moʻolelo
The area is associated with many legends:
- Kaikilani, the wife of Lonoikamakahiki being in an ulu grove when she was introduced to Lonoʻs brothers.
- Haʻinakolo and the cliffs above our farm being named after her, “Pali o Kahaʻi”,
- Kuapūpū, Lonomakua, Kūwahailo, Hinaʻuuʻōhiʻa, Lonomakaʻihe, other versions of moʻolelo of Kū and Hina among other legends.
Moʻolelo is shared in person in the tradition of our ancestors, from the speaker to the listener. Participate to learn more.
Photo: Herb Kane painting of Hiʻilawe
Malama Nāpoʻopoʻo
Revitalization of Nāpoʻopoʻo, an ancient village site built by our kūpuna.
Continuing efforts since 2001 to restore, cultivate, and protect the Nāpoʻopoʻo area of Waipiʻo Valley through educational and community group hostings.
Mālama Nāpoʻopoʻo means to care for and shine light on the historical & cultural significance of Nāpoʻopoʻo, an ʻili (small land section) that was once the largest village site in Waipiʻo Valley with unique geography & rich moʻolelo.
With the ʻāina of Nāpoʻopoʻo in Waipiʻo Valley as a our foundation, groups can come learn the historical and cultural significance of Nāpoʻopoʻo and the valley as a whole while helping to mālama ʻāina with the various indigenous and native plants on site.
Mālama Nāpo’opo’o aims to elevate the area into a thriving kipuka with strong kanaka maoli stewardship presence of managed cultivation for unaware hikers & protection from wild horses, as well as an education campaign on site and beyond to spread awareness of the natural and cultural resource significance of the area. Unaware hikers trespassing on private property, over burial & historical sites, and through waterways that feed our and other farmers’ lo’i kalo need to be educated of the area. Wild horses trample through cultivated crops and limit types of plants because of their grazing preferences need to be kept out. The general public, residents and visitors alike, need to be educated of the need to protect these natural and cultural resources. With these actions, Nāpo’opo’o will be able to thrive with native & indigenous plants that will symbolize active stewardship with more aware residents and visitors helping to malama ‘āina together.
Malama Hiʻilawe
Protecting the sacredness and cultural integrity of Hiʻilawe, the famed water fall of Waipiʻo Valley.
Mālama Hiʻilawe is the education of residents and visitors on the culturally and legally appropriate interaction with Hiʻilawe waterfall and the land, water, and sacred sites below it.
Hiʻilawe waterfall is an iconic feature of Waipiʻo Valley, and has been an increasing attraction that has come at the expense of the sacredness, cultural, and community integrity of this special place.
Mālama Hiʻilawe is our efforts to improve the integrity of Hiʻilawe and Waipiʻo Valley through increased understanding for residents and visitors on how to responsibly care for the land and decrease in trespassing and inappropriate use of land, water, and sacred sites in Waipiʻo Valley. Through active land stewardship and cultural education opportunities near Hiʻilawe waterfall in the surrounding areas (Nāpoʻopoʻo area and at the Ti House in the Apua area), residents and visitors learn the that stewardship of the ʻāina comes first and Hiʻilawe is a place of reverence that shouldnʻt be a playground.
LA Times article covering negative effect of trespassing on Hiʻilawe
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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
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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