The storm was so vicious that the unrelenting rain that fell from the black clouds washed the red soil down through the valleys and soon the flooded streams and thundering waterfalls churned as red as blood. The Kaena Point light tower nearly disappears amidst the sand dunes. TheState of Hawaii has designated the point as a Natural Reserve to protect nesting Laysan Albatrosses, Wedge-tailed Shearwaters, Hawaiian monk seals, and the fragile (to vehicular traffic) native strand vegetation that has been restored there. Half asleep, Huapu imagined a group of warriors coming from Oahu to attack his people, and so he rushed to the edge of a nearby cliff, heaved up a huge boulder and flung it out across the channel between the two islands. L.A. Kaena Point State Park is the gateway to Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve at Oahu's most northwestern point. Hiking proved a bit easier for our group than biking, as parts of Kaena Point Trail were too rocky or narrow for a comfortable ride. Subject: Kaena Point, Lanai appears in the legend: "Legend of Wahanui" in the book: Fornander, Abraham, Fornander Collection of Hawaiian Antiquities and Folk-Lore, Volume 4 on pages: 516-523 HSL Call Number: H 398.2 Fo v.4 UHM Call Number: AM101 .B4473 v.4 1985 Online . In the event the body was indeed dead and could not be returned, the bad soul wandered for eternity out on the hot and dry western extremity of Oahu. Area steeped in Hawaiian folklore and legend. To reach the trailhead from the Mokuleia side, follow Farrington Highway 930 until you get to the parking lot at the end of the road. This route boasts impressive views of sheer mountains and countless turquoise tide pools. Upon death, or even during a near death experience, a Hawaiian persons soul would first travel directly to Kaena Point to determine if it was ready to continue. A big white stone on the north side of Kaena Point was the literal leaping place of souls into the land of. To the south, views of the steep Waianae Range rival that of the Na Pali Coast on Kauai. There is a door in the fence that allows hikers to pass through. Ka'ena Point State Park: Rock of Kauai Legend - See 444 traveler reviews, 828 candid photos, and great deals for Waianae, HI, at Tripadvisor. Kaneana Cave is a mysterious site on Oahu's leeward (west) coast, almost as far away as you can get on the island near where the road ends. According to legend, Ka'ena Point was named after a chief who died after a large rock from Kauai was thrown onto the western O'ahu shore. Nearby is a huge boulder known as Pohaku o Kauai, or Rock of Kauai. Is this it? one of my friends asked, pointing toward a basalt outcropping further away that reached into the churning ocean. Required fields are marked *, Hey guys, Im Vy! Most of the tracks were destroyed by a tsunami in 1946. All rights reserved. Ancient Hawaiian mythology describes a colorful array of spirits and dimensions in the afterlife. Ka'ena Point Hike trailhead - Waianae, HI 96792 Coordinates:21.556306, -158.248494 Parking: The coordinates will take you directly to the small parking lot right in front of the trailhead of the Kaena Point hike. Kaena Point is the westernmost tip of land on the island of Oahu. Straddling the coastline from our Keawaula Beach starting point, the trail passed steep cliff faces dropping into the ocean and stands of bright green beach naupaka shrubs. These creatures easily blend in with the rocks while taking naps on the beach. There are over 2,000 seabirds that use Kaena Point as their breeding grounds. A popular one concerns the demigod Maui: Maui had a famous hook that he used to raise islands from the sea. See the FREE topo map of Kaena Point a Cape in Maui County Hawaii on the Lanai North OE W USGS quad map. Until "Biggest Wednesday" on 28 January 1998, when professional surfer Ken Bradshaw was photographed riding a wave with a reported 85-foot (26m) face, it was believed that Noll's picture showed the largest wave ever photographed. Half asleep, Huapu imagined a group of warriors coming from Oahu to attack his people, and so he rushed to the edge of a nearby cliff, heaved up a huge boulder and flung it out across the channel between the two islands. I also want to get Early Bird Books newsletter featuring book deals, recommendations, and giveaways. A walk around Kaena Point offers a grand visual lesson in Native Hawaiian ecology. Many plants native to the area were utilized in cultural practices. This site uses cookies to improve user experience. A Hawaiian euphemistic term for dying was to "travel west." [HAWAII] UPDATED 1/20/23: Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area WATER OFFLINE in the park, facilities impacted. During the winter breeding season, humpback whales will frequent the waters surrounding the point. The story goes that Peles male relative (some versions say her brother, others say cousin) traveled to this mystic point at Oahus western edge and decided to stay. He displayed incredible strength at an early age and eventually grew to be a brave and powerful warrior. It sits at the base of a cliff outcropping and is about 100 feet (30 m) high and 450 feet (137 m) deep. If earthly obligations had yet to be fulfilled, these spirits had the power to send the soul back to its body. In ancient Hawaii, the euphemism traveling west was used as a term for dying. Parts of them are visible along the Ka'ena Point Trail. If the newly deceased soul had not fulfilled all earthly obligations to the priesthood, or had been a bad person and disrespected their ancestors, the soul continued wandering around Kaena Point, or was returned to the body. When the water is calm, dolphins are frequently spotted playing offshore. With that in mind, weve narrowed down Oahus musts to 25 so that you can experience the extent of The Gathering Places wonder: Your email address will not be published. A protective fence surrounding the point keeps out predatory animals and invasive plant species. According to ancient Hawaiian folklore, Kaena Point is the "jumping-off" point for souls leaving this world. In Hawaiian, kaena means "the heat". In the deep waters, just off the point, spinner dolphins play and hunt for food. [4] The fence is about 2,133 feet long (650 m), and encompasses 59 acres (24ha) of land. Kaena Point is also known as Leina a Ka'uhane, which means "leaping place of the souls." The legend says this is where the recently deceased spirits departed to rejoin their ancestors. Shes also the deity who created the Hawaiian Islands. There, the fulfillment of ones worldly obligations is assessed. Your email address will not be published. For more than a quarter century, the state has protected nearly 60 acres of land at the point, first as a nature preserve and, more recently, as an ecosystem restoration project for endangered and protected coastal plants and seabirds. The area was named after a brother or cousin of Pele. Hot and dry area with little shade. We will use this opportunity to perform road grading, back filling, downed tree removal, and sand removal from the shower. See Hapuna site for updates. There are many private pockets of sand along this route, and if youre simply searching for a private beach, then there is no need to trek all the way to the point. Nearby is a huge boulder known as Pohaku o Kauai, or Rock of Kauai. Copyright 2023, State of Hawaii. Here, beyond the end of the busy roads of Oahu, is an area known since ancient times as leina a kauhane, the leaping place of souls, where the spirits of the recently dead could be reunited with their ancestors. Your email address will not be published. But the nature-related positives of having the fence in place have trumped aesthetic negatives. They are easy to spot if you are paying attention and not too enamored with the beauty of the trail. Print this map | View map legend. People can enter and leave the point through two-door pedestrian gates. Yes! Each section offers stunning geological features; from sand dunes and fossilized reef, to a sea arch and a large sea cave known as Kaneana, the legendary home of Nanaue the shark man. As the westernmost point on the island, it was said that Kaena Point was where souls leapt into the spirit world. Kaena or Kaena Point is the westernmost tip of the island of Oahu. This was where the soul would make its plunge into the ocean on its way to eternity. Unfortunately, these dunes and the native species that live on them have almost entirely been lost to 1500 years of change. On the northwestern coast of Oahu is a point of land called Ka'ena Point. Kaena means "red-hot" or "glowing" in Hawaiian; the name refers to the brilliant sunsets visible from the point. The boy was named Haupu. The intense sunlight, low rainfall, strong winds, and salt spray created a challenging environment at Kaena. Legends vs Utah Falconz 4/15/23. Observe marine mammals, sea birds, native invertebrate, and coastal plants from a distance. Another aspect of the departing soul visiting Kaena Point is less tantalizing. Photos (1,170) Directions. In the Keawaula section, there is a large sandy beach at Keawaula Bay with board surfing and body surfing for experts and swimming only during calm conditions in the summer; lifeguard services and a comfort station is available. . I am the camera guy, videographer, and writer for That Adventure Life. [MAUI] UPDATED 1/26/23:Iao Valley State Monument CLOSED August 2022through April 15, 2023. Ka'ena Point, the westernmost point on O'ahu, is the site of one of the last intact dune ecosystems in the main Hawaiian Islands. This is a very popular area for hiking, mountain biking, and off-road . This is how long humans have been in the islands. Kaena Point (or Kaena Point)lies on the westernmost tip of Oahu. This is a very secluded part of the island that in some areas you can only get around on a footpath and only authorized vehicles are allowed in some parts. Ka'ena Point State Park Overview. Sign up for The Lineup's newsletter, and get the eeriest locales delivered straight to your inbox. We were forced to carry our bikes, in few places, over small ravines and rocky patches. The area is abundant with native coastal plants such as ilima, naio and hinahina ku kahakai. Map Provided by TopoZone.com Kaena Point Information. Here the wandering soul would lurk as a ghost, subsist by eating spiders and moths until an aumakua guardian angel ancestor deity would take pity on the soul and guide it away. Catboat Ride with Catboat Escapes, Mossy Cave Trail: How to See the Only Waterfalls in Bryce Canyon NP, How to Do Bryce Canyon in the Winter: Cross-Country Skiing, Kayaking Anahulu River: Popular Thing to Do on North Shore Oahu, Olomana Trail How to Hike All Three Peaks | Oahu, HI. The boulder hit the water with such force that the resulting waves washed huge amounts of sand onto the shore, forming a point of land. From the Wai'anae side, take the trailhead at the end of the paved road in the Keawaula Section of Ka'ena Point State Park and follow the dirt roadway for 2.4 miles to Ka'ena Point Natural Area Reserve. Aloha. A wedge-tailed shearwater takes flight above Kaena Points sand dunes. Keep an eye out for resting monk seals on the beach on and around the point. A total of 11 plants found at Kaenaincluding awiwi, puukaa and dwarf naupakaare on federal endangered species lists. Photos (in order): Nick Welles / Flickr; Jeffrey Villamin / Flickr; Jeffrey Villamin / Flickr. Hawaiian folklore has long considered Kaena Point a jumping off place for souls. Early Hawaiians believed the point was a sacred place where souls departing the mortal world would leap into the spirit world to join the souls of their ancestors. The Legend of Ka'ena Point is about an Island and how the sharp point was created. Ancient Hawaiian mythology describes a colorful array of spirits and dimensions in the afterlife. Division of Forestry and Wildlife: Native Ecosystems Protection & Management, Landowner & Community Assistance Programs, Native Ecosystems, Invertebrate, and Plant Management, N Ala Hele Statewide Program & Hiking Safety, Native Species Backgrounds for Phones, Computers, & Meetings, Share Your Voice: Give input on plans, policies, & meetings, Forestry & Wildlife Statewide Announcements, Final Environmental Assessment for the Kaena Point Ecosystem Restoration Project, Kaena Point Executive Orders 3162 and 4091, To learn about the Kaena Point Restoration project please. [MAUI]UPDATED 1/23/23:Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area CLOSED through March 2023 (Per DOFAW). During that famous swell in January 1998, several people reported seeing waves with 6080-foot (1824m) faces at Kaena Point. Painted to blend with natural surroundings, the stainless steel, fine-mesh fence, which crosses a half-mile of the peninsula from the south to north coast, had an immediate positive effect. The station originally opened in 1959 to support theCoronareconnaissance program. Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}213431N 1581657W / 21.57528N 158.28250W / 21.57528; -158.28250. This station originally opened in 1959 and was recently renamed to represent the Space Force. Kaena is steeped in numerous legends. As the storm raged on, a rainbow appeared above the house in which the baby was born. The spirits could help revive the body if the death was not final. Would you rappel down Giant waterfall? If you are interested in contributing to these efforts, please contact: Mahalo for helping Hawaii State Parks conserve and protect our valuable natural, cultural, and recreational resources. Be sure not to step on them! Kaena Point State Park is the gateway to Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve at Oahus most northwestern point. Oahus westernmost promontory, Kaena Point rewards hearty hikers with sweeping views of the islands still rugged north and leeward coastlines. Adventure is not a hobby. It is a remotetracking stationof theSatellite Control Networkresponsible for trackingsatellitesinorbit,receiving and processing data, and enabling control of satellites byrelayingcommands from control centers. They might send the soul back if the death were not real or if certain earthly obligations were not fulfilled. Partner With Us. In Hawaiian,Kaena means the heat.Kaena Point is the legendary Leina ka Uhane or Leaping place of souls for recently deceased Hawaiian spirits. A 5-mile trail (8.0 km) can be entered from Keawaula Beach or Mokuleia. Check out our hike to Kaena Point here or read up on our whale watching, snorkel tour with Wildside, located on the way to Kaena Point here. Photos (3,276) Directions. Laysan albatross fledgling populations are up 25 percent this year and native plants such as ohia and sandalwood are now covered in fruit. They were dark and stormy. (1) The first email should confirm your application was submitted successfully. A few of my favorite things besides adventures are cooking, kayaking, reading, photography (from both sides of the camera), my fur babies, and hiking. According to island tradition, when a person is dying, his soul leaves his body. He awoke to strange noises out on the water, and when he looked out he saw faraway lights dancing in the black distance. In the beginning of the story, the first two paragraphs really set the tone of the legend. Remember to pack out, what you pack in. Chief Ka'ena was initially from the legendary island, Kahiki, which some scholars believe is similar to Christianity's Garden of Eden, of which powerful chiefs, gods, and ancient histories resided. Serra High School, 14830 Van Ness Ave, Gardena, CA 90249, USA . A hat or sun shirt is also ideal. In Hawaiian, kaena means "the heat". My name is Dustin! The volcano that created the Waianae Mountain Range last erupted over three million years ago. So it was named for himkaena means red hot in Hawaiian. Ka'ena Point Trail (from South) Moderate 4.5 (1849) Ka'ena Point State Park. For example, in line 5-7, it says "The storm was so vicious that the unrelenting rain that fell from the black clouds . The survivors of the disastrous fishing expedition made their way back to the shore of Oahu, and thereafter named the cape "Ka'ena" after their fallen chief. In the winter months, Kaena Point is one of the best places to watch breaching humpback whales. Please check back for the park reopening date. Still, on the summer day we were on the trail Kaena did manage to live up to the meaning of its nameHawaiian, for the heat. Over our four-hour hike in and out of Kaena Point, we chugged several bottles of water. There are only 1,400 monk seals left in the wild, and Kaena Point is a great place to possibly glimpse them. Simply follow Farrington Highway 93 until you reach Kaena State Park. slot nexus bonanza. An 853-acre (3.45 sq. They might send the soul back if the death were not real or if certain earthly obligations were not fulfilled. Legend has it that both of these landmarks came to be because of the actions of one man on a dark, stormy night many years ago. The Vehicle Access Special Use Permit is required to drive a vehicle into Kaena Point State Park Reserve, Mokuleia Section, beyond the gate and the paved road that ends at the gravel parking area. He displayed incredible strength at an early age and eventually grew to be a brave and powerful warrior. It was still there the next day when the storm died down, the sky cleared and the sun came out. Originally opened in 1959 and was recently renamed to represent the Space Force live on have! 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