Feb. 24, 2015
Contributed by Aron Dote
The name Haleʻiwa has long been associated with the spirit of hospitality, generosity, and caring for the needs of people. Kamehameha Schools honored the history of this North Shore community when naming the structures and features at Hale‘iwa Store Lots, KS’ redeveloped commercial center anchored by Matsumoto Shave Ice and Whaler’s General Store.
During a recent visit to the center, KSOnline sought the ʻike (knowledge) of KS Natural and Cultural Resources Regional Manager Ulalia Woodside to learn more about the history of Haleʻiwa and the names used in the project.
Q: The redevelopment project has been known as the Matsumoto Redevelopment, Waialua Store Lots and now Hale‘iwa Store Lots. Can you tell us why Hale‘iwa Store Lots was chosen?
A: Haleʻiwa has gained prominence as the name associated with the coastal surfing town spanning the makai region of the ahupuaʻa of Kawailoa and Paʻalaʻa in the district of Waialua. The name Haleʻiwa has always been associated with the spirit of hospitality, generosity, and caring for the needs of people.
Traditionally, a royal residential and spiritual center, and historically the hub of commerce and community fellowship, the community of Haleʻiwa has a strong entrepreneurial spirit coupled with country sensibility. By using the name Store Lots, we honor the plantation era and the common naming convention for retail spaces of that time.
Q: The main courtyard at Hale‘iwa Store Lots where everyone goes to enjoy shave-ice is named the Kamehamalu Courtyard. Where did the name come from?
A: Victoria Kamāmalu, the cousin of KS founder Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, was also known as Kamehamalu. She was awarded the ahupuaʻa of Kawailoa and Paʻalaʻa during the Mahele, so we felt it was appropriate to honor her here. She was the highest ranking female chief at that time and was appointed Kuhina Nui by her brother King Alexander Liholiho Kamehameha IV.
Q: The old Matsumoto family home has been rehabilitated and is now Mā‘ilikūkahi Hale – KS’ North Shore Field Office and Information Center. What is the origin of the hale name?
In the 1490s, Māʻilikūkahi who ruled over the Waikīkī region, was inducted into the office of aliʻi nui at the heiau Kapukapuākea which is located nearby in Paʻalaʻa-kai. He is credited with instituting a new system of land management including surveying the boundaries between different land divisions.
It is said that in an effort to better monitor the entire island and to become more intimately acquainted with his whole domain, Mā‘ilikūkahi was known to have lived at two locations on the opposite ends of O‘ahu; one at Waialua and the other at Waikīkī.
Q: Is there anything you would like people to take away from Hale‘iwa?
A: For the generations of people that have lived, worked, played and visited Haleʻiwa, the beauty of the land, sea and community has become treasured, as a gift. This feeling is captured in many mele, songs, for Haleʻiwa which exalt, Hiwahiwa ʻo Haleʻiwa, and reminding us that this place is truly a treasured gift.
He Makana Hiwahiwa; the history and legacy of Haleʻiwa truly is a gift. The names used in the redevelopment intend to honor this treasure, and we hope this will be Kamehameha Schools’ gift to the community for generations
Hale‘iwa Store Lots is part of the Kamehameha Schools North Shore Plan, created in collaboration with members of the North Shore community. Like all KS commercial projects its income supports the trust’s educational mission. For details on the plan, please visit www.ksbe.edu/nsplan.
Kamehameha Schools rehabilitated the old Matsumoto family home in Haleʻiwa Town and named it Mā‘ilikūkahi Hale, after a Hawaiian chief associated with the area. The structure now serves as KS’ North Shore Field Office and Information Center.
Residents and visitors relax and enjoy Matsumoto shave ice the Hale‘iwa Store Lots Kamehamalu Courtyard, named after Princess Victoria Kamāmalu.
KS Natural and Cultural Resources Regional Manager Ulalia Woodside shares the history of Haleʻiwa and the names used in the project.