Hawaii Unveiled

Wao akua by Chris Dacus

Wao akua

...a place of mist, of clouds, and of spirits - the realm of Ku, the god of war. Hawaiians would ask for permission to enter this realm, stating their good intentions as follows...


Noho Ana Ke Akua
Noho ana ke akua i ka nahelehele
I alai ia e ke kiohuohu, e ka ua koko.
O na kino malu i ka lani e.
Malu e hoe.
E ho`oulu mai ana i Laka i kona kahu o makou
O makou noa e.

The god dwells in the woodlands
Hidden away in the mist, in the low hanging rainbow.
Oh, Being, sheltered by the heavens.
Clear our path of all hindrance.
Inspire us.
Oh, Laka, and dwell on your altar.
Free us.



Tarter, Elizabeth – “Nineteenth Century Hawaiian Chant”, Pacific Anthropological records, Number 33, 1982, pg. 128, Number 6

The picture is taken of O'ahu's Ko'olaus.

The Ko'olaus

The Ko'olaus run in a NNW direction, stretching from the Oahu's Southeast point, Makapu'u, to Kahuku, a distance of about 35 miles. Koʻolau Range (meaning "windward" in Hawaiian) is a name given to the fragmented remnant of the eastern or windward shield volcano of the Hawaiian island of Oʻahu. It was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1972. It was formed as a single mountain called Koʻolau Volcano . What remains of Koʻolau is the western half of the original volcano that was destroyed in prehistoric times when the entire eastern half—including much of the summit caldera—slid cataclysmically into the Pacific Ocean. Remains of this ancient volcano lie as massive fragments strewn nearly 100 miles over the ocean floor to the northeast of Oʻahu.