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The Story of Kii and La'a

A Hawaiian legend tells us of a story of how a commoner, named Kii, wanted to marry the high chieftess, La'a.   Kii was commanded to prove himself worthy of marrying a goddess by going into the valley and making a lei of rare Lehua blossoms for his intended bride.  His task was to make the lei and return to Waiola'a (the fresh waters of La'a) before sunrise.  Unfortunately he did not reach his destination in time and as the sun rose, he was turned into stone.  A heartbroken La'a vowed never to marry and transformed herself into a Mo'o (guardian of the sacred pool).  It was said that any female entering Waiola'a would be pulled under to their death by the Mo'o.  Waiola'a was kapu to commoners and reserved only for men of royalty.  The last royal monarch to bath in the pool was King Kalakaua.   It was during his era, in the 1860s, that they planted two Royal Palms to mark the sacred pool.  You can still see the Royal Palms in front of the Aiea Post Office, which was built on top of sacred pool.  Pohaku O Kii (Stone of Kii), was located along Moanalua Road across from Alvah Scott Elementary School.  In 1994, during a widening of Moanalua Road , Pohaku O Kii was moved (with the help of the late kumu hula and local historian, John Kaimikaua), to where the two Royal Palms are...  at last reuniting the two lovers.

Although the Stone and the Royal Palms are of historical significance, they are unmarked and unprotected to modern society.  People sit on the stone and post advertisements on the trunk of the trees.  Hopefully with the help of AHSACA, Pohaku O Kii and the Royal Palms of Waiola'a, will be preserved for generations to come.

KEAIWA HEIAU

(from "A Journey Through Time: Aiea's History" a compilation by the teachers of Gus Webling Elementary)

At the top of Aiea Heights Drive is a heiau ho'ola or ancient healing center - better known as Aiea Heiau. The word "keaiwa" means mysterious or incomprehensible and the heiau was thus named because no one could explain how the priests, with the use of their plants and herbs, were able to heal the sick.

Here are some of the plants found at Keaiwa Heiau:

Ko = sugarcane. Probably used to reduce the after-taste of bitter medicinal herbs. Leaf buds were used as an ointment for treating deep wounds.

Ulu = breadfruit. The milky sap was used to put on sores. Mixed with other plant materials, it was taken by breast-feeding mothers to increase milk production.

Ohia = Bark was crushed and its juices taken for sore throat.  Leaves were crushed and ingested for bronchitis.