Cultural Map

Long ago, before Hawaiian was a written language, mo‘olelo (stories) were passed on, breath to breath, from old to young, in chants and hula. The story of ‘Anaeho‘omalu begins in those times, when it, and all of South Kohala were owned by King Kamehameha I. With its sandy beach, sheltering trees, and ponds full of fish, ‘Anaeho‘omalu was a pleasant stopping point for the ali‘i (royalty) as they traveled around the island in double-hulled sailing canoes.

The name ‘Anaeho‘omalu helps tell the story. ‘Anae means mullet; ho‘omalu means restricted or kapu. This place of “restricted mullet” refers to the plentiful ‘anae cultivated in fishponds here, under kapu, exclusively for the ali‘i. The early settlers of ‘Anaeho‘omalu gathered harvests of fish from the clear waters, never taking more than they needed, and always giving thanks. It was an area rich in blessings.