KO‘A & KILO TRAILThis trail consists of a 1.2 mile
loop along the western side of themouth of Kahana Valley. Allow
about an hour for the hike.
The trail originates at the park
Orientation Center and climbs agradual slope to an elevation of 150
feet. The first part of the trail follows
the route of the former “Ko‘olau
Railway” which hauled sugar canegrown in Kahana to the Kahuku
sugar mill in the late 1800s. Kahana
was the southern terminus of therailroad.
This trail offers stunning views ofKahana Bay and passes two
important cultural sites, Kapa‘ele‘ele
Ko‘a (fishing shrine) and Keaniani
Kilo (lookout). Look for plant
identification signs along the path.

AkuleKAPA‘ELE‘ELE KO‘AA ko‘a is a shrine dedicated tofishing. Hawaiians made offerings
here to ensure bountiful harvests of
the akule fish (Bigeye scad). The
offering might include the first fishcaught. The akule is an importantfood fish that formerly schooled inKahana Bay in large numbers. Thisko‘a is a rectangular alignment ofboulders that is open toward the sea.

The name Kapa‘ele‘ele literallymeans “black cloth”. Kapa isHawaiian cloth made from the barkof the wauke tree (paper mulberry).
The name of the ko‘a may be areference to a god or a specific ritualassociated with offerings given here.
The site has deteriorated overtime, and we ask that you help us topreserve the site by remaining on thetrail and not entering the shrine.
Please do not disturb the stones orleave rock wrapped in ti leaves. This
is not an appropriate offering.

KEANIANI KILO

This spot served as a lookout (kilo)
for fishermen. From here, the kilo i‘a(fish watcher) could spy schools ofakule fish which would sparkle as thesun reflected off of them like a mirror(aniani). He would then direct agroup of waiting fishermen in canoes
via a set of signals using a pole with aflag of white kapa. The fishermenwould then surround the school offish with their nets, and villagers of
all ages would gather on the shore tohukilau (pull in the nets). The catch
was then divided equally between allparticipants. Additionally, a malihini(guest) share was set aside for any
passers by or visitors who werewatching, an early example of what
is today known as the “Aloha spirit.”
A second kilo was located atabout the same elevation on theopposite side of the bay. The time ofday determined which lookout wasused, taking advantage of the sun’sposition.

Several plant species are identified along thetrail route. These plants are not all native, butthere are examples of endemic species (foundonly in Hawaii), indigenous species (native toHawaii but also found elsewhere), Polynesian
introduced species (brought by the original
Hawaiian settlers over a thousand years ago),
and alien species (recent introductions brought
intentionally or accidentally following westerncontact in 1778).

Polynesian-Introduced Species:
Ki (ti). A very important
plant to Hawaiians, ti leaves
have widespread uses,
including house thatching,cooking, clothing, fishing, lei
making, and ritual uses.

kiNoni. This bark and trunkof this tree was used byHawaiians for dyes, andthe fruit and leaves have avariety of medicinal uses.

Endemic Species:‘Akia. Hawaiians pounded the poisonousbark of this shrub into a powder. When placedin a pool , fish would be stunnedand could thenbe easily collected.

Kauna‘oa. The stems of this low-growing
leafless vine were used in lei making.

Indigenous Species:
Hau. The wood of this low, twisting tree isfern has shiny, dark-green fronds. This plant
was used to scent dyes which decorated kapa.

Alien Species:
Guava. Introduced to Hawaii in the early 19thcentury as a cultivated plant, the fruit is madeinto paste, jams, preserves and juice. Guavas
reproduce prolifically, their seeds being spreadby pigs, cows and birds.

Octopus-tree. This ornamental tree wasintroduced to Hawaii about 1900 and has
rapidly spread in the wild. It reproduces
quickly and has colonized large lowland areas,crowding out native species.

HA

State of Hawaiçi
Department of Land & Natural Resources
DIVISION OF STATE PARKS
Ahupuaça çO Kahana State Parkhttps://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/

AWAI

TEI

Laua‘e. This creeping

noniSTvery buoyant, and was used by Hawaiians forcanoe outriggers and fishing net floats. The
bark was made into ropes and cordage.
Hala. This small tree
has long, sharp leavesand fruits resembling
pineapples.
The
leaves were woven
into floor mats,baskets, pillows andfans. The dried small
pieces of the fruit wereused as brushes todecoratekapa(barkcloth).
hala

KAPA‘ELE‘ELE
KO‘A &KEANIANI KILO
TRAIL

KS

NOTES ON THE PLANT
IDENTIFICATIONPARAHUPUA‘A ‘O
KAHANA STATE PARK
Kahana, O‘ahu