Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 2, Number 4, 1 ʻApelila 1985 — Historical Miloliʻi Incident Observed [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Historical Miloliʻi Incident Observed

By Ruby McDonald Community Resource Specialist West Hawaii

Residents and friends of Miloli'i gathered in thanksgiving and fellowship one recent Sunday to commemorate one of the most cataclysmic occurrences many long years ago. According to historical maps, records and kupuna of Miloli'i, the Omoka'a-Miloli'i coastline subsided a long . time ago (no exact year

could be found.) This action generated a giant tidal wave whieh swept the entire village out to sea. Only one building remained although it had been swept back about 250 feet west of its original foundation. It is the Hauoli Kamana'o Church where this year's services were conducted. The traditional gathering was celebrated until the 1940's when World War II limited travel and eeonomie hardship prevailed. The celebration has since been revived and this year Aunty Mona Kahele conducted the services with historieal references by Unele Eugene Kaupiko. Hauoli Kamana'o today stands on property deeded in trust by Kala Pilipo to the Hawaiian Evengelical Association. This unique gathering celebrates the safety of all the people after that great catastrophe and the fellowship shared when people from districts to the north and south of Miloli'i eame with food and other provisions in the true spirit of aloha. There is no one alive today who witnessed the disaster. While no exact year ean be pin-pointed, the month and day have been preserved in perpetuity in the song, "La 'Elima o Pepeluali." It is a poignant song shared by kupuna Kaeo Boring and Kalua Rentigardo. It was recorded in 1978 by Diane Aki. The song describes the tearful villagers searching for the babies (Wai maka helele'i . . . He nei pepe, a la la'a nei?); numb with grief and drained of feeling (E hu'i ma'e'ele, kou nui kino.) Mere words cannot describe the loss suffered — house, personai belongings, material gain — all gone with one sweep of the tidal wave. Today the village of Omoka'a and part of Miloli'i lay underwater, a vestige of history carried in the hearts and tradition of the people of Miloli'i. A bountiful potluck luneheon at the park followed the church service. The gracious hospitality and sharing by Gilbert and Peter Kahele, Abel and Mona Kahele, Julia Kaupu, Mary Jane Forcum, Diane Aki and the many residents of Miloli'i is mueh appreciated.

Miloli'i's Hauoli Kamana'o Church