By Noʻeau Woo-O’Brien
On August 4, 2025, a gathering of poʻe aloha ʻāina was held in Waiakahiʻula, Puna, Hawaiʻi Island, to address an urgent threat facing the neighboring ahupuaʻa of Honolulu.
In attendance were Kawaiʻula, a nonprofit dedicated to the protection of Waiakahiʻula, alongside the Keliʻipio–Kuamoʻo Foundation and the Kuamoʻo Legacy Foundation – organizations composed of lineal descendants of Honolulu who carry the kuleana to safeguard this wahi pana.
The focus of the gathering was clear and alarming: Honolulu, both an ahupuaʻa and wahi pana, has been placed on the market for $4.5 million.
Honolulu, located on the east side of Hawaiʻi Island in the district of Puna, is a place of cultural and historical significance. The ahupuaʻa contains an extensive village complex, including house sites, agricultural platforms, and numerous burials.
The ma kai portion of Honolulu, commonly referred to today as Honolulu Landing, continues to be a gathering space frequented by local fishermen, neighbors from Waiakahiʻula, and travelers along the historic Government Beach Road.
For decades, the ahupuaʻa has remained intact and undisturbed under a private trust, which preserved its cultural sites and prevented development.
Recognizing the gravity of this potential sale, the lineal descendants of Honolulu have mobilized. Together with community partners, they have produced educational videos, launched petitions, and engaged the broader public to raise awareness.
On Aug. 11, 2025, representatives met with Mayor Kimo Alameda to explore pathways for protection, including the possibility of acquisition by the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC) – the very body that committed to safeguarding Honolulu back in 2007.
At stake is not merely land, but the living legacy of Honolulu as a wahi pana, a sacred place that embodies the history, identity, and resilience of Puna. Its protection cannot wait. Now is the moment for community, descendants, and leaders alike to act with urgency and aloha ʻāina, ensuring Honolulu is preserved for future generations.
Support the protection of Honolulu by signing the online petition: change.org/p/petition-from-honolulu-landing-hui
