The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-08-14

Amongst the most noted historica
points in the vicinity of Honolulu
Ahipuu. It stands in Nuuanu Vale
about two miles above the Postofice O
the Eva side of the beautiful valley roa
opposite the Queen Emma place. 1t
elevation is about $50 feet above tn
sea and being swept by the almost con
finuous winds which draw down the val
lev its temperature is several degree
below that maintaining in the city 0
Honolulu. These winds carry more rain
than at a lower elevation, the rainfall
being about Is inches per annurn, which
while ensuring the perennial verdure OF
the grounds multiply the labor OF car
ing for the place and keeping down the
tropical underground.
In ancient times Ahipuu was the resi-
dence of the tabu chiefs of Oahu and
the grounds were well kept and pro-
duced all kinds of foodstuffs. 1t has
been said that Ahipuu, the name OF
the knoll which occupies the centre OF
the twelve acres, was heiau or altar
upon which human sacrifices were offer
ed. This is not so as in those days It
was cone of solid lava and was used
for quite different purpose. AS the
name Ahipuu, fire hill, implies it was
used as a place where a beacon was
lighted to warn the people of the ap-
preach from sea of an enemy. This
was done by means of torches made
from the kerna1s of kukui nuts.
The knoll was one of two hulilis on
the Island of Oahu, the other being at
MaIolokai, near Makua, beyond Wal
amaze, from where when the atmosphere
was in proper condition mirage was
seen. It is seen that at times an island
was seen off towards the south whereon
men could be seen moving about as if
preparing 1uau Tradition had it that
this island was the place where the
spirits of departed chiefs went and the
mirage was at times so vivid that natives
were tempted to go off in canoes to it.
From Ahipuu a magnificent vista of
the whole approach to the harbor is
pbtaitied, and the natives, who were ex-
pert fishermen. could tell by the appear
anee of the sea the class of fish which
were running and dispatched the re-
quisite nets and paraphernalia for their
capture.
The fat between Ahipuu and the road
was called Vaumoa and on it stood the
large grass house wherein the tabu chiefs
resided. mere the education of the
chiefs proceeded and all kinds of athletic
sports were practiced as we'll as cock
fighting and other gambling games to
which the chiefs were addicted.
On the Eva side of Ahipuu the land is
called Kaumakapili from the fact that
here was an immense rock in a cavity
whereof person could lie comfortably
and looked ON the beautiful scenery be-
yond and below Nearby gushed ont a
spring which supplied well kept fish
pond where ava, amaze and other fish dis
ported themselves while from the sur
rounding growth of ferns, etc, shrilnps
could be collected.
In ancient times the walls of the
stream were we'll kept and the dykes
shielded innumerable taro patches from
the direful effects of its overflow. After
the chiefs lost their power over the
aipuu or common people the dykes be-
came dilapidated, the taro patches and
fish-pond filled up with debris and the
whole became a tropical jungle. AS
described to me by its present owner,
who is lineal descendant of the chief
who occupied Ahipuu from time inn
memorial, it must have been a charming
resort as it has all the facilities and pos
sib1lities for making an ideal site for a
palatial residence.
AS [ have said Ahipuu was sacred to
the tabu chiefs, and in 1870 when paper
titles came in vogue the opportunity was
taken to make an agreement between
Mataio Kekuanaoa, the father of Kane |
llaIneha ". and Kamehameha v, and |
Kaumakaokane that she should have a
perpetual lease of it so long as heirs of I
her body existed but on failure of such |
It should revert to the King and never |
be sold to a foreigner. AS Kaumakao- |
kane was married to an Englishman !
named Thomas Cumrnins, who from his
hospitality and generosity became a I
great favorite with Kauikeaouli or Ka-
mehameha III, Land Commission |
issued to him and eventually Royal
Patent was granted him giving him an
allodial title.
The cone, Ahipuu, as said is of solid
ava, and to make plateau of sufficient
extent TO erect a house Mr.. Cumrnins
aad ten feet blasted off the apex. 1t is
aid that at the time of blasting stream
IF water gushed out from the rock when
me of the old kahunas was reminded of
i prophecy, the one who should de-
;ecrate this rock by breaking II would
,ause water to flow and the inconoclast
would die" which in this case proved
rue.
The frame of the large house on
Iaumoa was used in erecting the pres
ut house on Ahipuu, which is more
than pretentious. From the
eeward verandah magnificent vista OF
honolulu and the approaches to the
arbor are obtained. in fact it is the 5