The History of Maunalua Bay

Maunalua Bay, a densely populated suburb many of us call home, used to be a vast agricultural area scattered with wetlands, massive fishponds, clear springs flowing through the valleys, and bountiful fish thriving in the bay. Maunalua is home to many watersheds, which signifies an area that extends down into the ocean and reef. Read below for the history of Maunalua Bay and its various watersheds that are now Maunalua’s neighborhoods.

What Maunalua Means 

Mauna means ‘mountain’ and Lua means ‘two.’ Maunalua refers to the easternmost end of the bay where there are two peaks, Koko Head and Koko Crater. In 1786, British Captain Portlock arrived in the bay and attempted to name it “King George Bay,” however, the name did not stay. Maunalua Bay covers 7 miles of shoreline, from Kawaihoa (Koko Head) to Kūpikipikiʻō (Black Point).  Its 28 square miles of land expands back to the summit of the Koʻolau Mountains.

Maunalua Ahupuaʻa History

“The ahupuaʻa of Maunalua was known for its’ large (523 acre) fishpond named Keahupua-O-Maunalua, with a fishpond wall or kuapā which originally spanned from Kuliʻouʻou headland to what is now Portlock. Keahupua-O-Maunalua was the largest fishpond on O’ahu. The pond was primarily used to raise mullet and was also home to a multitude of water birds. The coastal plains of Maunalua were a famous sweet-potato planting area referred to as Ke-kula-O Kamauwai.”  –A Brief Geography of Maunalua Region

Victoria Kamāmalu (sister of Kamehameha IV and V, and granddaughter of Kamehameha I), who was given Maunalua during the Māhele, leased Maunalua in 1856 to William Webster, a cattle rancher. In 1866, after the passing of Kamāmalu, Maunalua Bay was transferred to the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Estate. The area was imperative for fishing and farming until the 1950s. In the 1950’s and 60’s, the 523 acre fishpond and wetland was transformed into Hawaii Kai’s housing and private recreational salt-water marina.

History on Some Watersheds Within Maunalua:

Niu Watershed

Niu, meaning ‘coconut,’ once held the summer home of Kamehameha I, until later claimed by prior appointed konohiki Alexander Adams. The Niu watershed includes two large gulches. Although these gulches are currently dry, evidence suggests that these valleys once were home to flowing springs or subsurface streams and agricultural terraces. Niu was popular for fishing and fishpond cultivation, as well as cattle operations that began in the 1800s. Niu ahupuaʻa was home to Kupapa Fishpond which covered several acres. In the 1940’s, the pond was filled to build more housing and known today as Niu Iki Circle.

Wailupe Watershed (including ‘Āina Haina)

Wailupe means ‘kite water.’ This not only refers to this area consisting largely of water but is also thought to be one of the only places where kites were allowed to be flown. This area was once home to many ponds along the shoreline, including a 41 acre fishpond. Beginning in the 1880s, John Perry used hundreds of acres of this area for dairy farming and ranching. In the 1920s, Hind-Clark Dairy began operation, where the name ‘Āina Haina (Hind’s Land) was born. Over time, the ponds and wetlands were filled to make room for roads and housing. In 1945, the 41 acre fishpond was filled to create Wailupe Peninsula housing development.

Wai‘alae Iki Watershed

The name Wai‘alae is also said to signify an ancient stone-encased spring that is located near the present-day Wai‘alae golf course. The spring water used to supply water for the ali‘i (chiefs)

Kūpikipikiʻō Watershed

The name of this watershed means ‘to rise; to stand up; agitated as water in a current of the sea.’ It was said that when Hawaii Island Warrior, Kamehameha, invaded Oahu in 1795, his 800 war canoes were stretched from Kūpikipiki‘ō (Black Point) to Koko (Hawaii Kai)

Get Involved! 

Learning about the history and development of Maunalua Bay inspires us to preserve the bays remaining natural and cultural resources. To get involved and see how you can help the watersheds and ahupuaʻa you reside in, check out our Follow the Drop program where we assist homeowners in reducing pollution and runoff coming from their land. 

Historical information used in this blog was sourced from A Brief Geography of Maunalua Region at https://malamamaunalua.org/wp-content/uploads/Brief-Geography.pdf