Ka'u No Ka 'Oi
Ka'u is, indeed the best. Hawaii Island's largest district
in terms of land area, Ka'u encompasses the entire southern portion of the Big Island and
borders touristy South Kona to the north, and the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to the
east.
Steeped in history of the Kingdom of Hawaii, and it's early
rulers, including Kamehameha the Great, who resided here, many historical sites are
scattered throughout the District. From the late 1800's until 1995, sugar plantations
dominated the District of Ka'u, with large cane farms in Naalehu and Waiohinu and in
Pahala. We are also home to the Mark Twain Monkeypod Tree.
The population of Ka'u today is a mix of the Native
Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders, Caucasians and early plantation laborers - the Portugese,
Chinese, Japanese, Filipinos - and descendants of the early Hispanic "paniolo"
brought to teach roping and other cowboy skills.
"There is no going back ... ways are now
different. Go forward with love for the season ahead of us! Let pass the season that is
gone."
Chant for Kupake'e; also cited in "The
Polynesian Family System in Ka'u, Hawai'i" by ES Craighill Handy and Mary Kawena
Pukui.
