For centuries, Native Hawaiians had their own names for the places around them. These names were passed down through a rich oral tradition in stories and everyday communication. Many of these place names are used in traditional and non-traditional ways. Regardless, using these names can actually help to preserve a language and restore a culture.
Choose the park, historic site, or trail that you are visiting by using the Skip To Section tool below.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
-
Kīlauea - Hawaiian Pronunciation
This volcano's name translates to "spewing or much spreading" in Hawaiian, referring to its frequent outpouring of lava. Hear Kīlauea in Hawaiian.
- Date created:
- 11/25/2022
-
Halemaʻumaʻu - Hawaiian Pronunciation
Two translations for Halemaʻumaʻu are “fern house” and “house of the ‘amaʻu” which speaks to the numerous ‘amaʻu ferns that adorn the crater. It is known to be the everlasting home of Pele, the volcanic deity and elemental expression of Kīlauea. Hear Halemaʻumaʻu in Hawaiian.
- Date created:
- 11/25/2022
-
Uēkahuna - Hawaiian Pronunciation
The bluff at the summit of Kīlauea translates to "weeping priest." It is the name of a priest who challenged Pele, the volcano deity. A house stood over a pit here and when curious persons entered, the priest pulled ropes making the floor collapse. Kamiki, a hero, set the house on fire and the priest wept. Hear Uēkahuna in Hawaiian.
- Date created:
- 11/25/2022
-
Kūkamāhuākea - Hawaiian Pronunciation
The name of this large steaming flat translates to "upright steaming expanse". This large thermal area can be found near the summit caldera of Kīlauea. Hear Kūkamāhuākea in Hawaiian.
- Date created:
- 11/25/2022
-
Wahinekapu - Hawaiian Pronunciation
The name of a bluff at summit caldera of Kīlauea that translates to "sacred woman" in reference to Pele. Hear Wahinekapu in Hawaiian.
- Date created:
- 11/25/2022
-
Kīlauea Iki - Hawaiian Pronunciation
A small crater outside Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera). Translates to "little Kīlauea". Hear Kīlauea Iki in Hawaiian.
- Date created:
- 11/25/2022
-
Nāhuku - Hawaiian Pronunciation
Lava tube near Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera), formerly known as Thurston Lava Tube. Translates to the "protuberances" in reference to the lava drippings that were found on the ceiling of the cave. Hear Nāhuku in Hawaiian.
- Date created:
- 11/25/2022
-
Keanakākoʻi - Hawaiian Pronunciation
A crater that was used as an adze quarry by early Hawaiians. It translates to "the adze-making cave" and was buried by lava erupted in 1877. Hear Keanakākoʻi in Hawaiian.
- Date created:
- 11/25/2022
-
Kealakomo - Hawaiian Pronunciation
A land division and ancient village that translates to "the entrance path." A lava flow from Maunaulu vent poured into the sea near here in 1971 and created 97 acres of new land. Hear Kealakomo in Hawaiian.
- Date created:
- 11/25/2022
-
Puʻuloa - Hawaiian Pronunciation
Puʻuloa translates to "long-hill" but has an underlying meaning "hill of long-life." This mound has the most concentrated complex of petroglyphs in Hawaiʻi. The mound was used as a depository for umbilical cords (piko) of infants. Hear Puʻuloa in Hawaiian.
- Date created:
- 11/25/2022
Haleakalā National Park
-
Haleakalā - Hawaiian Pronunciation
Haleakalā is a post-shield volcano located on east Maui. The names translates to "House of the Sun." The name comes from a story where the demigod Māui was believed to have lassoed the sun in order to lengthen the day. It permitted his mother, Hina, to dry her kapa cloth. Hear Haleakalā in Hawaiian.
- Credit / Author:
- NPS
- Date created:
- 12/22/2022
-
Puʻuʻulaʻula - Hawaiian Pronunciation
Puʻuʻulaʻula translates to red hill and is the tallest point on the island of Maui at 10,023 feet (3055 meters). Hear Puʻuʻulaʻula in Hawaiian.
- Date created:
- 12/22/2022
-
Keoneheʻeheʻe - Hawaiian Pronunciation
Keoneheʻeheʻe translates to the sliding sand. The name describes a (famous trail) that is found within the summit region of Haleakalā. Hear Keoneheʻeheʻe in Hawaiian.
- Credit / Author:
- NPS
- Date created:
- 12/22/2022
-
Leleiwi - Hawaiian Pronunciation
Leleiwi translates to “bone altar,” and although the name of this area was recorded on early maps of the crater, the history of the name itself has been lost. Hear Leleiwi in Hawaiian.
- Date created:
- 12/22/2022
-
Halemauʻu - Hawaiian Pronunciation
Halemauʻu translates to grass house. Hear Halemauʻu in Hawaiian.
- Date created:
- 12/22/2022
-
Kapalaoa - Hawaiian Pronunciation
Kapalaoa translates to the whale tooth. This name is used for a backcountry cabin at Haleakalā National Park. Hear Kapalaoa in Hawaiian.
- Date created:
- 12/22/2022
-
Kūloa - Hawaiian Pronunciation
Kūloa translates to the long Kū, one of the main four akua (gods) of Hawaiʻi. Kūloa point is within the Kipahulu section of Haleakalā National Park. Hear Kūloa in Hawaiian.
- Date created:
- 12/22/2022
-
Palikū - Hawaiian Pronunciation
Palikū means vertical cliff and is in an area within Haleakalā crater. Hear Palikū in Hawaiian.
- Date created:
- 12/22/2022
-
Kīpahulu - Hawaiian Pronunciation
Kīpahulu was once heavily populated by Native Hawaiians. The area held hundreds of farm sites and agricultural terraces that could support hundreds of people. Kīpahulu translates to a place where soil is worn out (pahulu) from constant farming. Hear Kīpahulu in Hawaiian.
- Date created:
- 12/22/2022
-
Pīpīwai - Hawaiian Pronunciation
Pīpīwai is where water springs up or oozes out of the ground or rocks. Hear Pīpīwai in Hawaiian
- Date created:
- 12/22/2022
-
Pā Kaʻoao - Hawaiian Pronunciation
Pā Kaʻoao, or “the fences of Kaʻoao,” is the name of this small pu‘u (hill). Over 100 archeological features known as pā (fences, walls or enclosures) are found on its leeward side. The story goes that Pā Kaʻoao got its name from Ka‘oao, a former Hawaiian aliʻi (chief) of Kaupō. Ka‘oao and his army were escaping a rival ali‘i in Kaupō, and built these enclosures in this area in order to have shelter for the night. Hear Pā Kaʻoao in Hawaiian.
- Date created:
- 12/22/2022
Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site
-
Puʻu Koholā Heiau - Hawaiian Pronunciation
Pu'ukoholā Heiau, one of the last major temples built in the Hawaiian Islands, was constructed by Kamehameha the Great from 1790 to 1791. Arguably one of the greatest leaders in Hawaiian History, Kamehameha became the first person to unite the warring islands into the Kingdom of Hawai'i. Pu'ukoholā Heiau played a crucial role in the unification of the Hawaiian Islands, for Kamehameha built the temple as a result of a prophecy that came through a priest named Kapoukahi. Hear Puʻukoholā Heiau in Hawaiian.
- Date created:
- 12/22/2022
-
Kohala - Hawaiian Pronunciation
Kohala is the oldest of five volcanoes that make up the island of Hawaiʻi. Kohala is an estimated one million years old. Hear Kohala in Hawaiian.
- Date created:
- 12/26/2022
-
Mailekini Heiau - Hawaiian Pronunciation
Just below Pu'ukohola Heiau stands Mailekini Heiau. Although this structure's history is somewhat vague, during the reign of Kamehameha the Great, this temple was converted into a fort. Mailekini Heiau testifies to the fact that, as an adept and intelligent leader, Kamehameha was able to utilize new modern technologies to secure his control over the islands. Hear Mailekini Heiau in Hawaiian.
- Date created:
- 12/26/2022
-
Hale o Kapuni Heiau - Hawaiian Pronunciation
Submerged just offshore are the ruins of what is believed to have been another temple, which local lore relates was dedicated to the shark gods. The ancient Hawaiians believed in animal helpers and protectors, half god and half human, who relayed their counsels through the lips of some medium who became for the moment possessed by their spirit. Hear Hale o Kapuni Heiau in Hawaiian.
- Date created:
- 12/26/2022
-
Pelekane - Hawaiian Pronunciation
Pelekane translates to Britain or Englishman. Pelekane has been the scene of many important events, from the killing of Kamehameha's rival and cousin Keoua Kuahu'ula in 1791, to meetings and interactions with foreign visitors, including Captain George Vancouver of Great Britain, Otto von Kotzebue of Russia, and dignitaries from France, the United States, and other nations. Hear Pelekane in Hawaiian.
- Date created:
- 12/26/2022
Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
-
Ala Kahakai - Hawaiian Pronunciation
Ala Kahakai translates to the path near the shore, coastal trail. The Ala Kahakai is composed of a network of culturally significant ancient and historic trails which traverse ahupuaʻa (land divisions) throughout the coastlines. Hear Ala Kahakai in Hawaiian.
- Date created:
- 12/26/2022
-
Alanui Aupuni - Hawaiian Pronunciation
The Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail includes portions of historic trails known as the Alanui Aupuni (Hawaiian Kingdom Government Road). Hear Alanui Aupuni in Hawaiian.
- Date created:
- 12/26/2022
-
ʻAnaehoʻomalu - Hawaiian Translation
ʻAnaehoʻomalu was a small village located in North Kona and is well-known for its spectacular petroglyphs. Two Hawaiian fishponds, Ku'uali'i and Kahapapa, were once used by Hawaiian royalty to raise mullet and other small fish. Fish were carefully tended to and were only given to royal people. Its name means "protected mullet" in Hawaiian. Hear ʻAnaehoʻomalu in Hawaiian.
- Date created:
- 12/26/2022
-
Hāpuna - Hawaiian Pronunciation
Hāpuna meaning spring in Hawaiian represents the continuation of life. It is popular as one of the largest white sand beaches located along the Kohala coast. Hear Hāpuna in Hawaiian.
- Date created:
- 12/26/2022
-
Kaunaʻoa - Hawaiian Pronunciation
Kaunaʻoa is commonly known as "Mauna Kea Beach." Kaunaʻoa is a native dodder, mollusk, and seaweed that all resemble each other. Hear Kaunaʻoa in Hawaiian.
- Date created:
- 12/26/2022
-
Māmalahoa - Hawaiian Pronunciation
Māmalahoa is the "Hawaiʻi Belt Road" that encircles the island. It was probably named for the law of the splintered paddle, māmala hoe. Hoe (paddle) was later replaced with hoa (friendship). Hear Māmalahoa in Hawaiian.
- Date created:
- 12/27/2022
-
Kohanaiki - Hawaiian Pronunciation
Kohanaiki translates to small barrenness and is a land section of Kailua and Keāhole in North Kona. Hear Kohanaiki in Hawaiian.
- Date created:
- 12/27/2022
-
Ka Lae - Hawaiian Pronunciation
Ka Lae translates to the point in Hawaiian and is the southernmost point of Hawaiʻi. Hear Ka Lae in Hawaiian.
- Date created:
- 12/26/2022
-
Papakōlea - Hawaiian Pronunciation
Papakōlea is a green sand beach located near South Point, in the Kaʻū district of the island of Hawaiʻi. Papakōlea translates to plover flats. Hear Papakōlea in Hawaiian.
- Date created:
- 12/27/2022
Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historic Park
-
Kaloko - Hawaiian Pronunciation
Kaloko translates to "the fishpond". Kaloko is a land division and fishpond near Kailua, Kona. Kaloko is an aliʻi or chiefly pond and is the largest rock wall fishpond in Hawaiʻi. The Kamehameha family reserved the pond for themselves in 1848. Hear Kaloko in Hawaiian.
- Date created:
- 03/08/2023
-
Honokōhau - Hawaiian Pronunciation
Honokōhau means "bay drawing dew" and refers to an early Hawaiian settlement. This land section includes loko iʻa (fishponds), kahua (housing platforms, and kiʻi pōhaku (petroglyphs. Hear Honokōhau in Hawaiian.
- Date created:
- 12/26/2022
-
ʻAiʻōpio - Hawaiian Pronunciation
ʻAiʻōpio is a small fish trap on the south boundary of the park. An opening in the trap to the sea enabled fish to enter, and the walled sections of the trap allowed fish to be stored until needed. At high tide, fish entered the trap by swimming through the seaward opening or over the submerged walls. At low tide, the fish were trapped in the enclosure and were easily netted. Fish traps differ from fishponds in that the fish are trapped and caught, but not raised. Hear ʻAiʻōpio in Hawaiian.
- Date created:
- 03/08/2023
-
Puʻuoina Heiau - Hawaiian Pronunciation
Pu'uoina Heiau is the finest example of a platform type heiau in Kona on the south shore of Honokōhau Bay. It is a significant fishing heiau on Maliu point at ʻAiʻōpio fishtrap. Hear Puʻuoina Heiau in Hawaiian.
- Date created:
- 03/08/2023
-
ʻAimakapā - Hawaiian Pronunciation
‘Aimakapā is a loko pu'uone (sand berm fishpond) means "standing by the fence". The commoners could fish from the pond with what they could catch with their hands. Hear ʻAimakapā in Hawaiian.
- Date created:
- 03/08/2023
Sources used for this group of place names come from Place Names of Hawaiʻi: Revised and Expanded Edition by Mary Kawena Pukui, Samuel H. Elbert, Esther H. Moʻokini.
Last updated: March 8, 2023