Where is Puʻu Hōkūʻula?
Mokupuni: Hawai'i
Moku: Kohala
Ahupua'a: Lālāmilo
Puʻu Hōkūʻula
Overview and Background of Landscape
Neighboring ahupuaʻa of Lālāmilo include Ouli to the north and Waikoloa to the south. This ahupua’a is historiclly known for its famous fishing ground at Puako and its field system up mauka. The terrain of Lālāmilo is typically dry. What was once a thriving field system is now pasture land. When brakingbreaking down the word Lālāmilo we can see that Lala means (branch, limb, member as in society, extension, etc) and Milo is a native Hawaiian tree and contain a few other translations that deals with twisting and curling. In breaking down parts of the name, Lālāmilo , means “branch of Milo”, “Limb of Milo”, “Extention of Milo,” it could also mean “Curling Limb” or “Twisted Extension.” (Ulukau)
When looking at place names in the Waimea area and comparing them to ka'ao kahiko we can find that many of these places hold names of people within these kaao. For example the kaao of Puako and Lālāmilo, when Puako and her Ohana moved to Ke kahawai ole (north Kona) from Puna, Puako along with her sister, Anaeho'omalu, were seeking husbands but only those who could provide for them their favorite fish. As the girls parents settled at what is now known as Na pu'u (Pu'u Anahulu & Pu'u Wa'awa'a), Anaeho'omalu and Puako continued north towards Kohala. As they travled along the coast, the first sister, Anaeho'omalu comes across and meets her husband Naipukalaulani, a chief of the area. After theyre marriage they make their home in what is now known as Anaeho'omalu. Puako continues along the coast in seach of her husband, when she stumbles across a lady whose name is Ne’ula, who had invited Puako in to eat. When conversing with Ne’ula, Puako tells her of her travels and her search for a husband that can catch her favorite i’a, he’e. When Ne’ula heard this she knew of just the right person, her son, Lālāmilo who was a skilled fisherman.
Attached to the story of Puako and Lālāmilo is the story of Kamiki and Kamiole, the brothers who were olohe in all types of games. In the story they are told by their grandmother to visit their ancestress, Laniku'iamamaoloa (wahi pana in Waimea) anf gather the things they will need for their uniki. When visiting Lanimaomao, she tests the two boys by wrapping them in her net called Ku’uku’u and eventually they escape giving her the confidence that they are able to continue. After they escape her net and they pass the test, she gives them their separate kuleana. Sending Kamiki to Waipio to fetch the awa and sending Makaiole to fetch the water at Kawaihuakane on Mauna Kea with the awa bowl called Hoku’ula . Just like Puako and Lālāmilo nothing can tell us why Hoku’ula is named after this kanoa.
Pu’u Hōkūʻula does however have a crater at the top that does look like a bowl. Puʻu Hōkūʻula is located in the ahupuaʻa of Lālāmilo. In looking at the name Hōkūʻula there are two words; Hoku, meaning star and ‘Ula, meaning red (Ulukau). When putting both words together, it translates to a red star, Hōkūʻula.