Glossary

Koloa - an ahupua'a in the Kona district of Kaua'i. The Koloa ahupua'a starts at the peak of Mount Kahili, bordered on the eastern boundary point between Koloa and Weliweli near Po'ipu Beach Park and on the west near Lawa'i at Kukui'ula. Three possible meanings of the name Koloa are; named after the native duck (Anas wyvilliana) that lived in the large lake Kaluahonu and the marshes that covered much of the western area of this land. Secondly, the ahupua'a may have taken its name from a steep rock on the east bank of Maulili pond in Waikomo Stream named Pali o Koloa, Cliff of Koloa. Third, it may mean long sugar cane (ko=cane and loa=long). Sugar cane was brought by the earliest settlers and planted as a source of sugar.

Ahupua'a - common subdivision of the land. It consisted most frequently as a slice of an island that went from the top of the local mountain out to the first breakers on the surrounding reefs. Ahupuaʻa varied in size depending on the economic means of the location and were meant to support roughly equal numbers of people.

Ahupua'a is derived from Hawaiian ahu, meaning: "heap" or "cairn", and pua'a, pig. The boundary markers for ahupua'a were traditionally altars of stones used to put offerings to the island chieftain, which was usually a pig.

'Auwai - water channels, irrigation ditches

Hale umu pao - above ground indoor oven

Hanaka'ape Bay - site of Koloa Landing (formerly known as Koloa Roadstead)

Ha'upu - Mountain between Naluakeina and Kamaulele on the Koloa/Lihue District boundary.

Kalo - taro (Colocasia esculenta), a kind of aroid cultivated since ancient times for food

Kahawai - stream

Kaho'onapua' Bay - Site of the Kaua'i Sheraton Resort and Hotel and Kiahuna Plantation Resort

Kauhale - group of houses comprising a Hawaiian home, formerly consisting of men's eating house, women's eating house, sleeping house, cook-house, canoe house, etc.

Kilokilo - observation post

Ko - sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum)

Koa haole - Leucaena leucocephale (a.k.a. Led Tree) used for cattle fodder and decoration

Kupuna - a dignified term to address grandparents or those who have passed on before us

Lo'i - irrigated terrace, especially for kalo

Mai'a - All kinds of bananas and plantains (Musa xparadisiaca)

Makai - inland, towards the mountains

Na ahupua'a o Koloa a me Weliweli - the ahupua'a of Koloa and Weliweli

Na kanaka - Native Hawaiians

Papa ku'i'ai - Poi Pounding board

Pa wawahi pipi - Cattle corral

Pa'akai - sea salt

Pahoehoe - basaltic lava forming smooth undulating or ropy masses

Pohaku ku'i'ai - stone poi pounder

'Uala - sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas)

Wahi pana - celebrated, noted, cultural or legendary place