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History Makaha was the landing site for a number of transpacific and inter island fiber optic submarine cables. The first cable was installed in 1964 the cables that followed were buried in a trench across the beach. These cables are used to carry digital information which carry internet, telephone, and private data signals.
Picture from www.naval-technology.com
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Hawaiian Beliefs They say that the Hawaiian demi god, Maui, first resided in the Waianae ahupuaa. Maui is known for fishing out the Hawaiian islands with his fish hook. Here he learned how to make fire.
Picture from polynesianlava.com |
Moolelo of Makaha The Story of Makaha There once was a handsome man who was named Makaha , and lived in an un-named valley. He was a very skilled fisherman and his talent eventually became known island-wide. Even Ke Anuenue (the rainbow), the goddess of rain, who lived in Manoa had heard of Makaha. She became so intrigued with him that she sent her dear winged friend, Elepaio , to study Makaha. Elepaio then returned with adventurous stories of Makaha's daring skills. The next morning Ke Anuenue created a breath taking, double rainbow stretching from Manoa Valley to the valley where Makaha resided to secretly watch him demonstrate his skills. This brilliant rainbow frightened the people of Waianae Valley. So the people prayed for much needed light rains knowing Ke Anuenue was watching. Lately, the only showers they have experienced were harsh storms she created when unhappy. Makaha was also aware of her presence, so he quickly climbed to the top of Mauna Lahilahi and called to his aumakua (an ancestral spirit) Mano Ai Kanaka who was the most ferocious man-eating shark alive. Mano Ai Kanaka emerged from the ocean so Makaha jumped to his back then both surfaced from the water. The two vanished to the depths of the oceans and everything became calm. Then within seconds Makaha was jerked along the coast near death and finally he brought to shore Mano Ai Kanaka. He offered his victorious catch to Ke Anuenue. Honored, she sent gentle rains to the Waianae Valley. In celebration and thanks, the people of Waianae Valley offered her a wide variety of seafood. She was impressed with the selection but quite disappointed with the quality of the fruits that were dry and stringy. She insisted to know what was the cause of the low quality of fruits and was told it was due to the lack of rainfall in the valley. Ke Anuenue became furious with Makaha and from then on a double rainbow would appear in Makaha 's land area and light rains would fall on Waianae . In honor of Ke Anuenue and Makaha the people built a heiau (place of refuge) but she refused the honor and in turn named the whole valley, Makaha.
Picture by Chloe S. |
