Maunalua: Restoring a name, recognizing a place

July 7, 2026

For more than half a century, the name Hawaiʻi Kai has been synonymous with one of East Oʻahu’s largest residential areas. Established in the early 1960s by developer Henry J. Kaiser as one of the state’s first master-planned communities, Hawaiʻi Kai reshaped the region’s modern identity. Yet the land itself has long been known as Maunalua.

Maunalua, meaning “two mountains,” refers to Kohelepelepe (Koko Crater) and Kuamoʻokāne (Koko Head), two prominent features that define the region’s landscape. Historically, Maunalua was known for its productive fisheries, agricultural lands, and freshwater resources. The Keahupua O Maunalua fishpond system once supported communities beyond its immediate boundaries, reflecting the integrated land and ocean management practices of the ahupuaʻa system.

When Hawaiʻi Kai emerged as a residential community in the 1960s, the newer name became more widely recognized. Maunalua, however, remained present in cultural practice, historical research, and stewardship efforts across the region.

In 2024, that traditional name was restored in a highly visible way.

The addition of “Maunalua” beneath the Hawaiʻi Kai sign at the entrance to the community was the result of a nearly year-long effort led by Malia Lum-Kawaihoa Marquez, a lifelong Hawaiʻi Kai resident. For Marquez, the project was never about replacing one name with another. It was about recognizing the history of the place and ensuring that history remains visible for future generations.

“Place names come with stories,” Marquez said. “And with stories comes the ability to have culture and preserve what we have left so that our youth, our keiki never forget the stories of our elders and our kūpuna.”

Marquez began the process by presenting a proposal to the neighborhood board, where it received approval. She then consulted with Councilmember Tommy Waters’ office to confirm the necessary steps. After learning that the land beneath the Hawaiʻi Kai sign was owned by the Hawaiʻi Kai Mariners Association, she reached out directly to its leadership.

The Mariners Association supported the proposal and agreed to fund the fabrication and installation of the additional signage. What began as one resident’s commitment to restoring a name evolved into a broader community effort, with design, placement, and funding made possible through collaboration.

That collective support culminated in the installation of the sign in September 2024. A formal blessing followed several weeks later, drawing an estimated 150 community members who gathered to recognize the restored name and reflect on its history.

The newly installed sign does not change Hawaiʻi Kai. What it does is place the traditional name alongside the modern one, ensuring that Maunalua is seen and remembered by those who live there and those who pass through. It affirms that the community’s present is grounded in a history that extends far beyond the past six decades.

Reflecting on the installation, Marquez said, “When I drive home and I look at the sign, I think, look at that. Community can do things. We really can.”