Nate’s Adventures: Lehua at Lanihuli

By Nate Yuen | Reading time: 2 minutes

I have long been captivated by Lanihuli – the peak on the Koʻolau that straddles the valleys of Nuʻuanu and Kalihi on the leeward side on the Koʻolau Mountains, and towers over Kāneʻohe on the windward side.

H-3 passes along the base of Lanihuli on the windward-side on the Koʻolau Mountains. When the morning light strikes Lanihuli, one can see all the features carved in the mountain.  Hanging valleys and waterfalls are carved into windward-facing slopes of Lanihuli over Kāneʻohe.

Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden provides a great vantage point to see Lanihuli where many ʻōhiʻa lehua – Metrosideros polymorpha -- trees have been planted.  Clouds often shroud the summit of Lanihuli whose hanging valley resembles a crater.

Rainfall eroded hanging valleys and vertical waterfalls into Lanihuli.  I was recently told by Hawaiian practitioner Kepano Carvalho that it has a name -- Kahoʻoleinaʻiwa -- the flying of the frigate birds. It is where a moʻo -- dragon-lizard water spirit – dwells in the ahupuaʻa of Kāneʻohe and the ili of Luluku.

Water droplets condense on the pistils and stamens of lehua flowers that sparkle in the light. Lehuamakanoe – the misty-faced lehua – is a sight to see when it rains.

Great to see lehua mamo – yellow lehua – at Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden as rain falls over the Koʻolau Mountains.

Water droplets collect on lehua mamo as rain falls over the Koʻolau, seeps in the mountain, and recharges the aquifer where we get our drinking water.

Great to see lehua alani – orange lehua – as the clouds descend and rains over the Koʻolau.

Fascinating to see the Lanihuli and the Koʻolau Mountains. It is little wonder I keep returning to Lanihuli to marvel at Kahoʻoleinaiwa during the rainy season.