Kawai Nui Marsh is known for its legendary Hawaiian goddess and guardian spirit, the akua mo‘o, Hauwahine. The akua mo‘o protected the health of the people and assured that they would have enough fish for their welfare if the marsh and fishponds were properly maintained. The mo‘o was often described as a giant lizard or even dragon-like. It could also take human form: that of a beautiful woman. Hauwahine usually had a female companion and they could be seen at times sunning themselves on the stream banks. Kamakau relates that if they were given awa, they would change back into their lizard form and move from side to side like the hull of a canoe through the bulrushes of the marsh. The uki grass and rushes would change to a yellowish color indicating their presence in Kawai Nui.
		Nā Pōhaku o Hauwahine (the rocks of Hauwahine) comprise a basaltic rock promontory that offers a panoramic view of the Kailua ahupua‘a from Coconut Grove to Olomana to deep in Maunawili Valley—overlooking all of Kawai Nui marsh. This piko is actually the remnants of the ancient Ko‘olau caldera consisting of dense, ponded lavas. READ MORE GEOLOGY PHOTOS: (Upper left) An ‘ulu maika found by J. Cash at Nā Pōhaku o Hauwahine. (Middle) Is this lepo ‘ai‘ia? A nodule of phototrophic bacteria that is abundant in some parts of the marsh. (Lower left) 'Anapanapa (Colubrina asiatica) is an indigenous plant native to Hawai‘i and other Pacific islands that grows naturally and quite profusely at Nā Pōhaku o Hauwahine (photos by E. Guinther).  list with pictures of native plants at Nā Pōhaku o Hauwahine read a philosophy of restoration for Nā Pōhaku o Hauwahine
PARTICIPATE: SITE CLEARING AND PLANTING NATIVE VEGETATION Aloha kakou, Every Saturday can be an eventful day for those who aloha the Kailua Ahupua‘a and Kawai Nui Marsh. If you wish to join in a stewardship, kahu ‘aina project at Nā Pōhaku o Hauwahine please either contact Eric Guinther at guinther@hawaii.rr.com for information or just show up some Saturday! OR, you can come on one of the monthly work project days (third Saturday) and join with like-minded neighbors for a half-day experience [Check the SCHEDULE].

WHAT: WHEN: WHERE: INFO:

NATIVE PLANT RESTORATION: CLEARING, TRAIL-BUILDING, PLANTING, WEEDING Any Saturday in 2011 09:00 am ~ 5:00 pm (but choose YOUR best times) Nā Pōhaku o Hauwahine Kokua and mālama Kawai Nui marsh

Check out "Opening a Wetland" and our photo album.

Tour group returning to Nā Pōhaku o Hauwahine through the neke ferns on Kawai Nui Marsh (Photo by E. Guinther, July 2001).

LINKS: [KO‘OLAU NET] | [AHUPUA‘A] | [Kawai Nui Heritage Foundation] | [‘Ahahui Mālama I Ka Lōkahi]