Puu Waawaa biological assessment, Puu Waawaa, North Kona, Hawaii

Author:

Giffin, Jon G.

Title:

Puu Waawaa biological assessment, Puu Waawaa, North Kona, Hawaii

Year:

2009

Subject:

Puu Waawaa Ranch North Kona District Biological surveys

Summary:

The land division or ahupuaa of Puu Waawaa is located on the western or leeward side of the Island of Hawaii (North Kona District, TMK 3-7-01, 02, 03, and 04). It lies on the northern flank of Hualalai volcano, extending from sea level to within a mile of the mountain summit. The area is roughly bounded by the 1859 and Kaupulehu lava flows. Puu Waawaa is within Kekaha, which is the region of North Kona from Honokokau through Puu Anahulu. Kekaha means "a dry and barren place," a good description of the land below the hills of Napuu as they were originally called. The ahupuaa of Puu Waawaa (Hawaiian: furrowed hill) takes its name from a large volcanic cinder cone that is a prominent landmark in the area. The entire region was forested at one time, but wildfires and more than 100 years of livestock grazing have removed much of the native vegetation. During the Great Mahele (1848), the ahupuaa of Puu Waawaa was chosen by Kauikeaouli, King Kamehameha III, for his own personal use. These lands were retained by the King and called "Crown lands". The King gave other lands to supporting Alii and Konohiki, which became known as "Konohiki lands." These latter parcels were set aside to support government activities, and to provide additional lands for tenancy and leasehold interests. When the monarchy was overthrown in 1893, both Crown and Government lands were ceded to the United States and later to the State of Hawaii. An early Government document described the lands of Puu Waawaa as "one of the most northern of the Kona lands, running from the sea to within a mile of the summit if Mount Hualalai, a distance of 15 miles. It has about 6 miles of seacoast, the last landing being at Kiholo, where a few hamlets are. The government road from Kailua to Kawaihae passes through the village at Kiholo. There are very few inhabitants on the land. The only real good land for cultivation is near the Puu Waawaa Cone, distant 8 miles from the coast. Here fruits, particularly peaches, grow luxuriantly; also potatoes and taro. The makai portion of the land, say about one-third, is extremely rocky and would offer but scant pasturage to any herd. Above this, in the wood, is found some of the best grazing land in that part of the country. The forest in places is very heavy, the principal wood being koa and ohia (Area about 40,000 acres)."

Collection:

Monographs