by Mikahala Roy

The area known as Kamakahonu and the surrounding Kamakahonu Cove is beyond dispute, the of the most important sites in all the Hawaiian islands. Not only was Kamakahonu declared the first capital site of the united Hawaiian islands under the leadership of Kamehameha the Great, it was here that he spent his last years and organized the preparation of Hawaii for her future.

• Here the Kapu System, the evolved condition of the faith of the Hawaiian people to that point, was abrogated following the historic "Ai Noa" ceremony.
• Here the first missionaries to reach the islands made their initial "official" landing. They did so upon a stone promontory of pahoehoe islets recorded in history as the "Plymouth Landing" of Hawai'i. Here, the ships of other countries of the world landed to receive permission from Kamehameha I for any and all of their activity in the islands.
• Here, the Hawaiian flag flew for the first time in the Kingdom, the product of the collaboration of Kamehameha I and Captain Alexander Adams.

But these are facts of a Hawaii post contact. There is much more to tell of this area of high significance to the Hawaiian people in past, present and future generations. Place names here tell true history set in the matrix of the intact Hawaiian society that so rapidly changed following the arrival of Captain Cook.

Tai'erua (two seas or two currents) is the name of the hono or bay, the main body of the sea that relates with Kamakahonu and with Kaiakeakua. Kamakahonu means "the Eye of the Turtle" perhaps receiving its name in antiquity in association with a stone formation in the shape of a honu or turtle located among the pahoehoe islets of stones there. Kaiakeakua means "Seashore of the God". These are the names of the great and beautiful beaches that welcomed the swirling sea of Tai'ema while they welcomed Kamehameha the Great and those chiefs and people before him . There has long been water in abundance at Kamakahonu by the evidence of many punawai or springs and artesian waterways there where the Wai 0 Kane (fresh water of the god - Kane) flowed from Mauna Hualalai (Mount Hualaiai).

This place is described spiritually as the "Te 'Aina 0 Ta Ra Rani", "Land of the Central Sun". When Kamehameha the Great was in residence here, it is said, there was a "circumference" in place; a spiritual boundary around Kamakahonu onto which those of lesser mana could not proceed. Similar statements are made by our Kupuna aloha, historians and elders, of other places along Kona's coast, namely Ka'awaloa at Kealakekua or Kapukapu and Kaluaokalani at Hoiualoa.

Experiencing the energies of the waters of Tai'erua were at least six sacred sites, five in addition to Ahu'ena Heiau recorded at the turn of the century by archaeologist, John F.G. Stokes. In the presentation of the survey work of Stokes, the account of Tom Dye entitled "Heiau of the Island of Hawaii, A Historic Survey of Native Hawaiian Temple Sites," those sites are identified as Palihiolo Heiau at Waikilohi at the boundary of Keahuolu and Lanihau, Ahu'ena Heiau, Hi'iaka Heiau. Keikipu'ipu'i Heiau, Haleoku Heiau and Kalopau Heiau.

Ahu'ena Heiau (Burning Altar) served as Kamehameha's seat of government as he ruled the Kingdom of Hawai'i. As he rose to power, Ahu'ena was deemed among the most powerful heiau of this island of Hawai'i. It was a luakini or a temple where human sacrifice was conducted. Upon this temple was the Lana Nu'u Mamao (Oracle Tower) a feature not a part of every heiau of that period.

As the King returned to Kailua in 1812, Kona was suffering from famine. Kamehameha directed his attention towards food production and care of the land. He dedicated Ahu'ena Heiau to Lono, god of healing and prosperity of the land. Ahu'ena became a Heiau Ho'ouluulu and Heiau Ho'ouluulu Ta; a Heiau mapele, a thatched temple for the worship of Lono.

The base of the Heiau predates Kamehameha and is of the style that would have been constructed between 450 and 1100 A.D. according to Hawaiian Historian and Kahu of Ahu'ena Heiau, David Kahelemauna Roy, Jr.