TALK STORY UNDER A FULL MOON

The Eva Parker Woods Cottage was built by Frank Woods, the descendants of John Palmer Parker, who founded Parker Ranch. Over half a century ago, the late Francis H. I’i Brown, a sportsman and socialite with royal Hawaiian lineage, acquired the fishponds and surrounding lands from the family of Eva Parker Woods. A man equally at home in the worlds of black tie and fast cars, Brown treasured Kalahuipua’a as a retreat from the demands of urban life: a place to fish, talk story; a place where he could reach back to the simpler lifestyle of his royal Hawaiian ancestors.

Every month when the full moon rises, Mauna Lani gets ready for an evening of storytelling and entertainment on the lawn at the oceanfront Eva Parker Woods Cottage.  The event is coordinated by Mauna Lani’s Cultural  Historian Danny Akaka, who speaks fluent Hawaiian and often performs as a musician.  Since not many hotels can boast an on-staff cultural historian, Mauna Lani asked Danny to share his knowledge of Hawaii’s myths and legends with guests. “Twilight at Kalahuipua‘a” was designed to perpetuate the traditional folk art of storytelling. Everyone is invited to share stories, family histories, songs, and dance.  It gives hotel guests a chance to experience the true aloha spirit, and residents the opportunity to meet and share stories with people from around the world.

The Eva Parker Woods Cottage houses historical information about Kalahuipua‘a, the land now called Mauna Lani.  This oceanfront location marks the piko (spiritual center) of the resort’s ancient Hawaiian fishponds, making it the perfect venue for this full moon event. Hotel guests, Hawaii residents, and resort employees and their families are invited to join “Twilight at Kalahuipua‘a,”  Twilight is from 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm on the Saturday closest to the full moon. Please call the Concierge at 808-881-7911 for calendar updates

KALAHUIPUA’A FISH PONDS

An oasis within an oasis, the Kalahuipua’a Fishponds are the spiritual center of Mauna Lani. Predating even the earliest Western contact, the ponds are a tangible reminder of the days when the land and sea supported the Ali’i (royalty) who were the original inhabitants of the land.

The seven ponds–Kalahuipua’a, Kahinawao, Waipuhi, Waipuhi Iki, Hope’ala, Milokukahi and Manoku–were used by ancient Hawaiians to raise fish and supplement their ocean fishing efforts. Bottom samples taken from the ponds date the ancient aquaculture system to as far back as 250 BC. Some of the fishponds were created by walling off the pools’ natural access to the ocean. Makaha (sluice gates) were incorporated in the walls to allow for circulation of seawater, essential for maintaining healthy fish. The ponds were used to raise mullet, milkfish, shrimp and other sea life strictly for the consumption of Ali’i.

Continuing the tradition of stewardship, Mauna Lani Resort cares for the ancient complex. The ponds are stocked, and the schools of mullet and awa are moved from pond to pond to feed in different stages of development. Mauna Lani has also planted a variety of ancient Hawaiian plants in an effort to return the ponds to their natural state. Widely recognized as a pacesetter in historic preservation and stewardship of the land, Mauna Lani beckons visitors with its unparalleled spirit of place.

PUAKO PETROGLYPH ARCHAEOLOGICAL PRESERVE

The Puako Petroglyph Archaeological Preserve features more than a thousand petroglyphs, or kii pohaku, lava rock carvings etched into stone centuries ago by Native Hawaiians. Although the true meanings of the petroglyphs are unknown, it is generally thought these carvings are records of births and other significant events in the lives of the people who lived on Hawaii Island long ago.

Just a short walk from the Fairmont Orchid Hawaii, Holoholokai Beach (a well manicured beach-park with facilities) and the Mauna Lani Resort, you can see the carvings of human forms, canoes, turtles and others in the captivating petroglyphs fields of Puako. Take the kids on a petroglyph hunt and ask them what they think these ancient symbols could mean.

HAWAIIANA

Learn to play an ukulele, weave a coconut frond basket, dance the hula, hike through Hawaii’s largest petroglyph field or relax on the beach and watch the honu basking in the sun. This luxury beach resort offers a myriad of experiences to discover. Hike to the summit of Mauna Kea, the tallest mountain in the world or venture to the east side of the island and view the world’s most active volcano.