Free Sample Essays > Area and Country Studies
Waipi'o
old because it took the ‘Ama‘ama (Mullet) and the ‘O‘opu out to the ocean to spawn and was a means for them to come back into the valley later in their life. The ‘Ama‘ama and ‘O‘opu were both highly desired food sources. Now the river is used by many people to bathe themselves after doing certain things and also washing their car which pollutes the water down stream. Some people go as far as throwing their ‘opala (rubbish) near the river. Hi‘ilawe river is one of the major crossing river to get to the other side of the valley. When there is heavy rainfall in or above the valley (Waimea), the river water level rises very high and is uncrossable for the residents or visitors in the back of the valley. When this happens it’s said to be a sign by the people who live there, of the valley trying to cleanse or rid itself of someone or something by washing it out.
Nanaue is another major waterfall and pool that are on the northern wall of the valley about one 3/4 to 2 miles in. Legend says that there once was a half man- half shark that once inhabited the area named Nanaue. He is believed to be the son of Kamohoali‘i, the king of all Hawaiian sharks, and Kalei. Before he was born, Kamohoali‘i told Kalei to take extra care and guard him from being seen by the eyes of men. Kalei was also warned to never allow Nanaue to eat flesh of any animal. After his warnings, Kamohoali‘i disappeared never letting Kalei know who he was. When Nanaue was born, he had an opening in his back which turned into a shark’s mouth with rows of sharks teeth as he grew. His mother followed Kamohoali‘i directions and advice but one day Nanaue’s grandfather fed him some meat. From that day on, Nanaue would always crave for meat and was never satisfied. His mother would take him to the pool to bathe in the water and he would change his form, feeding on the fish while she watched out for people to warn him. When he became a man, he avoided his companions in bathing and fishing. He would go off by himself to the deep blue sea while people would be sea bathing or fishing then suddenly a shark would appear and eat them. People started disappearing and all of Waipi‘o got worried. One day the chief of the valley ordered everyone to work in the Lo‘i. As Nanaue worked in the Lo‘i, a guy working beside him tears off his kapa kihei (clothing) and everyone discovered his shark mouth. In defense, Nanaue ate people in rage. Eventually they caught him but he got away and went to other islands until they caught and killed him. “E ao o pau po‘o, pau [next page]