The Location and Astronomical Orientation of the Kupalaha Heiau at Diamond Head
At a Glance
Section titled “At a Glance”| Metadata | Details |
|---|---|
| Publication Date | 2022-01-01 |
| Journal | The Hawaiian journal of history |
| Authors | J. P. Henry |
Abstract
Section titled “Abstract”The Location and Astronomical Orientation of the Kupalaha Heiau at Diamond Head J. Patrick Henry (bio) Waikīkī with its abundant water and crops, excellent fishing, and fine surf was the seat of Hawaiian royalty for centuries. Two of the most consequential royals who resided in Waikīkī for portions of their lives were Kamehameha and Kākuhihewa. Kamehameha (c. 17531-1819) resided on O’ahu from 1803 to 1812 at Waikīkī, Honolulu Harbor, Nu’uanu, and several other places.2 Writing was introduced into Hawai’i toward the end of Kamehameha’s life so we know much about him. He of course was the first to rule all the Hawaiian Islands. He led his people during the initial influx of foreigners and was able to acquire their technology without losing his land or culture. He promulgated a number of laws that protected both chiefs and commoners in their property and persons.3 The best known was The Law of the Splintered Paddle, which provided protection in public places to the elderly, women, and children and continues today in Article IX Section 10 of the State of Hawai’i Constitution. Kākuhihewa (c. 1521-c. 1610) was thirty-nine years old when he became ruler of O’ahu and held that position for fifty years.4 Several spellings of Kākuhihewa’s name have been used from time to time. We use this one because it was chosen by the editor of Kamakau’s Tales and Traditions of the People of Old from which most of the information summarized here was obtained.5 We estimated the death [End Page 5] year above by subtracting 30 years for each of the four O’ahu rulers between Kākuhihewa and Kūali’i6 from the year Kūali’i died given by Kamakau, 1730,7 yielding c. 1610. Thus Kākuhihewa was born c. 1521 given his age at death. Although the accuracy of Kamakau’s dates is often suspect, not the least because he does not provide information on how they were obtained,8 in this case he relies on his grandmother with whom he lived for eleven years and who saw the living Kūali’i. Kamakau also states that Kūali’i lived to be 175 years old, which may detract from his credibility. Kākuhihewa’s principal residences were in Waikīkī, ‘Ewa, and Kailua. O’ahu was known across the islands for its food production during his time, and because of the abundance of farmed food and fish, many chiefs of Hawai’i and Maui came to live there. He studied many subjects ranging from the traditional martial arts to astronomy. Kākuhihewa became known from Hawai’i to Kaua’i as a benevolent ruler with an efficient government. Consequently his name became synonymous with O’ahu, which is still sometimes called The Sands of Kākuhihewa.9 Papa’ena’ena and Kupalaha Heiau Unsurprisingly the royals built heiau for their use near where they lived. These would be heiau po’okanaka (heiau of human heads), also called heiau luakini. They were very large, and only the paramount chief of an island or district used them; others could not build them. Human sacrifices were required to release these heiau from their dedicatory kapus,10 and such sacrifices were performed there later as well. In the compilations of Kamakau,11 Thrum,12 and McAllister13 are the following four heiau po’okanaka near the ocean in Waikīkī: Helumoa, Kapua, Le’ahi, or Papa’ena’ena, and Kupalaha. Helumoa is located between the Royal Hawaiian Hotel and Moana Hotel.14 After his failed raid on O’ahu, the ruler of Maui, Ka-uhi-a-Kama, was sacrificed at Helumoa in c. 1610 by Kaihikapu-a-Kākuhihewa,12 Kākuhihewa’s second son.6 Kapua is located near Kapahulu Avenue and Leahi Avenue despite having the name of a different district of Waikīkī. Hawai’i chief Kaolohaka was executed there on suspicion of being a spy.15 Finally, Papa’ena’ena11 and Kupalaha11 are notable [End Page 6] since they are depicted on written maps that provide much better…