Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 12, Number 8, 1 August 1995 — "Wizard Stones" a kīpuka of culture in Waikīkī [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

"Wizard Stones" a kīpuka of culture in Waikīkī

by JefT CIark Maybe you've seen them. Maybe they've seen you. Gracing the Waikīkī sand just a feXv feet from Kalākaua Avenue near the poliee substation, they - four large rocks, two situated more or less vertically and two more or less horizontally — are reputed by Hawaiian mo'olelo and tradition to be associated with four ancient kāhuna who eame from Tahiti and were renowned for their healing powers. Many visited the kāhuna, and their mana grew with their reputation. Before returning to Tahiti, the four decided they would like to be remembered with a permanent monument, and had Hawaiians collect and erect four large stones. Two were placed on the beach at Waikīkī where the kāhuna lived and two in the oeean at their favorite bathing plaee. The pōhaku, whieh eame to be known as the "Wizard Stones," were moved up and down Waikīkī Beach over the years. In the early part of this century Gov. Archibald Cleghom had them "exhumed" from the sand and placed in the open "as tangible evidence of a Hawaiian tale," James H. Boyd wrote in the 1907 Hawaiian Annual. They later suffered the indignity of being incorporated into the foundation of a bowling alley until the 1960s, when, with the help of the county, they arrived at their current resting plaee on Kūhiō Beach.

They were brought to the attention of the Queen Emma Foundation by businessman and author George Kanahele, who QEF contracted to generate a report on ways to make Waikīkī - where the foundation owns 18.5 acres of prime land - more "Hawaiian." Kanahele suggested a cultural/historical trail could be established, and he proposed that the stones be better interpreted and made a part of that trail. ("Interpretation" is the technical term for the process of bringing to life a site or artifact so that students, tourists, and other member of the public ean leam from and enjoy what they might otherwise misunderstand, dismiss, or even bypass.)

The historical trail is not a project of the QEF but rather will be a city undertaking, QEF project manager Stuart Lau noted. However, Lau said that QEF, as a health care organization, is particularly interested in the stones because of their purported role in traditional Hawaiian healing. The foundation's Hawaiian culture expert, former OHA administrator Richard Paglinawan, said that prominent kahuna lā'au lapa'au Papa Henry Auwae has been consulted, and that it's hoped the site could become a "rallying point" for native Hawaiian healers. Kanahele suggested that the area surrounding the stones

be enlarged, landscaped and designated a "legendary plaee or wahi pana." He also said the plaque currently there could be replaced and that signs should be erected with text explaining the healing tradition of Waikīkī. The Queen Emma Foundation is hoping to hear from Hawaiian kūpuna who remember the stones' role in tradition or mo'olelo and who may be able to shed some light on their history. They don't expect - but are hoping - to get lucky and receive some old photos of the stones. Anyone with information may contact Paglinawan at QEF by calling 594-4748 or 594-4700.

After iheir succeaaful voyage to the South Paeilie, where they rekindled traditional t)es wHh Potyneaian peopiea, the crews ofthe Hōkūle'a and Hawai'iioa voyaging eanoea embarked on an entirely new voyage - up and down the Weal Coaat of the United Statea and Canada. ft marked the firat time the three mafor native peoplea ol ihe Unlted 8tatea - Hawallana, lndiana and Alaaka Nativea - were able to interact at the cultural and apiritual level. The Hawai'iloa, made of 200-year-oid spruce loga donated by the Sealaska Corp. from 8hellkof laland Alaaka, carries both native American and Hawalian sprirts wlthln. The vialta ol the two eanoea to the natlve peoplea of the Northweat made all very aware that although we eome from different cultural aourcea, we ahare very similar bellefs. Hundreds ol thousanda of well-wlahen welcomed the eanoea In Alaaka, Waahlngton, Oregon and California. Mueh hospltallty and aloha were ahown by Hawallan organizationa that lncluded civic cluba and eanoe ciuba.

Monuments to four ancient kāhuna, the "Wizard Stones" grace Kuhio Beach. Photo courtesy Queen Emma Foundation

Voyaging canoes voyage eastward to the U.S. West Coast

A familiar sight in an unfamiliar setting: The Hokuie'a at the Golden Gate Bridge. Photo by George Vincent

Hawaiians at Crissy Fieid in San Francisco give a chant of weleome. Photo by George Vincent • :• ■

i | w * i. i hmii'ii i»— i Crews of the Hōkūle'a and Hawai'iloa disembark upon arrival June 3 at Bellington, Washirigton. Photo by Kina'u Kamali'i

A flotilla of outrigger canoes and other craft met the Hokūle'a in San Francisco Bay. Photo by George Vincent