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It was just one of those days to take a drive and find a site on Oahu that would be interesting to share. I was going into 10th grade at Leilehua High School in Wahiawa in 1971 as our high school in Mililani was not finished yet. A lot of history surrounds this area and I'm going to share a part of this area right outside Wahiawa and the historical significance of the Kukaniloko Birthing Stones Site.
The Wahiawa Plateau used to be forest land and three districts (Waianae, Waialua and Ewa) of ‘old Oahu' extended into this plateau. Known as the ‘uplands' chiefs were born and resided here and it was also the location where the key battles for control over Oahu were fought.
The chiefs preserved their chiefly kapu (pronounced ‘kah poo' and is the code of conducts of laws and regulations). Several heiau (sacred Hawaiian temples) were built around this chiefly area in the slopes and gulches of the Waianae mountain range and facing the Wahiawa Plateau.
Major trails crossed the island of Oahu and met near Kukaniloko. The Waialua Trail started in Waialua and went through Wahiawa down to the Ewa plains. The Kolekole Trail started in Waianae and crossed over the Waianae Range and joined the Wailalua Trail near Kukaniloko.
Wahiawa (meaning rumbling) is where thunderstorms and the voices of ancestral gods welcomed an offspring of highest and divine ranking. Such as being in central Oahu, Kukaniloko is symbolic of the PIKO (navel cord)...... and so symbolizing.....birth.
The royal birthsite here was Kukaniloko (coo kah knee low koe) which was north outside the city of Wahiawa and located in the Waialua district. It included the associated Ho'o'onopahu Heiau (hey ee ow are ) ancient Hawaiian temple and nearby Lihue within the Waianae Uka district. A royal center on Oahu between A.D. 1400-1500 the Kukaniloko Birth Stones Site has been honored as a significant cultural site on Oahu.
From Kukaniloko the open skies might have made this location a prime location for a sort of Hawaiian kind of Stonehenge. A University of Hawaii team from the Institute of Astronomy recorded designs and shapes that may have been used for the movement of stars and such for calendars.
The plaque reads: KUKANILOKO...This site is sacred to the Hawaiian people. As many as 800 years ago, chiefs and chiefesses came here for the birth of their children. A child born at Kukaniloko was assured high -ranking status. Please respect this sacred area. Do not damage the stones by marking them or leaving coins. PRESERVE HAWAII'S PAST FOR THE FUTURE.
As always, it is unlawful to take, excavate, destroy or alter any historic site on state land. Any person who violates this law is subject to a fine of $10,000 (HRS, Chapter 6E-11) DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES, DIVISION OF STATE PARKS.
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Wahiawa is located a few miles from Mililani Town and back in the early to mid 70's Mililani High School wasn't finished so I attended Leilehua High School in Wahiawa. As I watched the Wahiawa Lion's Club Veterans Day Parade yesterday with my daughter, I immediately got caught up in memories as my old Alma Mater ROTC marched by.
My father retired from the US Navy and my son served in the US Navy aboard the USS Kitty Hawk. Veterans Day is an annual US Holiday honoring military veterans and I stood on the side flooded with memories of my father who passed away in 2004. I remembered the emotions that swept through me when I heard the war broke out and saw that the USS Kitty Hawk, with my son aboard, was in the Persian Gulf. It was his birthday.
All branches of our Military in Hawaii marched by....
I thank all who have served and are serving in the US Military.
I will continue to remember....and be thankful.
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Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves all Hawaii Home Buyers and Sellers on the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) including all Hawaii Military Relocating to Hawaii, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents.
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It is cherry blossom time and time for the sakura celebration, which will be held this weekend in Sakura Town, otherwise known as Wahiawa.
"Sakura" is a Japanese word derived from the word "sakuya," which means "blooming." Wahiawa is the only place in the islands where the cherry tree can thrive. Wahiawa has the coldest climate on the island of Oahu, allowing the trees to thrive. The first sakura trees were planted in 1973 by the Wahiawa Nikkei Civic Association.
The celebration of the cherry blossoms will be held this weekend in Sakura Town (Wahiawa). There will be
three separate events. The first event, "Sakura Matsuri" (Cherry Blossom Festival), will be held at the Wahiawa Hongwanji Mission, on Saturday, January 31, from 7 to 9 p.m. The evening will include Japanese taiko drums, music and dance. The Cherry Blossom Count will be there as well. For advance tickets, call Evelyn at 621-3659 or, if you choose, you may purchase tickets at the door for $5.00.
The second event, "Sakura Safari-Hana Mi", will be held on February 7th. There will be two trolley tours, at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. The Sakura Safari is a trolley ride which tours Wahiawa and its cherry trees. The trolley ride will be followed by a luncheon and entertainment. Tickets will be sold the morning of the trolley tour for $18 and an additional $5 for those who opt to participate in the luncheon. The trolley tour begins at the Wahiawa Ryusenji Soto Mission. For more information, call 306-1876.
The third and final event will also be held on February 7th at 1:45 p.m. at the Wahiawa Botanical Garden with a "Gifu Sakura No Kai Friendship Tree Planting Ceremony".
If you are a plant enthusiast or just like to enjoy the beauty of nature, this is an event you will want to attend. It is a very unique experience celebrating and viewing the beautiful cherry blossoms in a Hawaiian setting.
Aloha, Robin
Related Events:
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So....you are Relocating to Hawaii with the Military and...you are going to be stationed at Schofield Barracks Army Installation or Wheeler Army Air Field. (adjacent right next to each other in Central Oahu) Wheeler used to be an Air Force base and was returned to the Army on November 1, 1991. History shows that the soldiers from Schofield started clearing way for an aircraft strip back in February of 1922 and named in November of 1922 honoring Major Sheldon H. Wheeler who died on July 13, 1921 when his aircraft crashed during a demonstration. Wheeler Air Field became a separate base on August 31, 1939.
Wheeler AAF and Schofield Barracks are adjacent to each other on Kunia Road although Wheeler has other DOD Defense activities going on including: Defense Communications Agency, the Air Force's 6010th Aerospace Defense Group, the Hawaii Army National Guard's Aviation Support Facility, and the 25th Infantry Division (Light) Aviation Brigade.
Your Military Relocation to Hawaii and Purchasing Your New Home. The following information is basic but pertinent information to go over before you even pack for your transfer and before considering purchasing your Honolulu County (Oahu) home. Moving across the Pacific Ocean to such a diverse culture may be of a shock and you may want to brush up on a few tips to make your transition a smooth one.
The Military Presence on Oahu, Land Use and other Zoning Laws It is without a doubt that our Hawaiian Islands have little buildable land so it is detrimental to keep all of our zoning and land use laws intact. The Active Duty Military has 3.5% of a population and 10% total with Veterans as well. The majority of our land is Preservation and Conservation land and the following will give you insight
Neighborhoods in Honolulu County and Market Report too! An insight into the different neighborhoods and what they have to offer. You will also get current market statistics in each community for which I wrote for that period.
Honolulu County (Oahu) Weather and Traffic - It is a given that with an island so small and a population of almost one million that we do have peak traffic hours as in any other part of the country. For a look at Oahu's traffic click on the following TRAFFIC CAM to view during peak hours.
Things to Do, History & Places to See - A three part series for a brief, condensed Points of Interest series to learn a little about our island and our so diverse and full of different cultures and ways of life.
Condo or Townhouse Living: Rules to Follow and Steps to Protect: If you are contemplating downsizing then condo / townhouse living may be an option. With maintenance fees for most associations taking care of the bulk of your homeowner's insurance (common elements), and repairs to the outside, roof, grounds and water/trash and sewere this may just be an option.
History of schools and links to Hawaii's Education System A brief look at the history of Hawaii and its school system as well as researching schools and neighborhoods suitable for your family and their Relocation to Hawaii.
Myths, Legends and Superstitions: Every place has it's history as well as their "stories"....come join me in revisiting some old tales of Hawaii. It is a given that there are certain things to respect on the islands. Not only do we have Ancient Burial Site laws that protect our land...we also have certain sites that still have remnants of ancient temples that are not to be disturbed.
Bottom line is this.
It's not easy moving across the Pacific Ocean let alone to a totally different "world" of people,
but you can do it with a little effort, motivation and a great Realtor®!
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Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocating to Hawaii, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents. Website: www.hawaiihomesmarket.com
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