"Wai‘anae is home. There's no place else like it. I don't want to live anywhere else. It's hard to name one thing that makes Wai‘anae special, but one thing is definitely the people."
– Philip Dibibar, Wai‘anae resident
Ka Po‘e – The People
Glossary Terms
To understand the ecology of the Wai‘anae moku, it is important to consider its human dimension. People have profound effects on our natural environment and on the plants and animals that share it with us. Our interactions with the landscape – extraction of resources and alteration of the physical environment – have intentional and unintentional results. To manage natural resources effectively, human interactions must be considered along with physical and biological conditions.
Wai‘anae Harbormaster William Aila, Jr., traces his family's roots in Wai‘anae back at least six generations.
Source: CZM Hawai‘i
Lifelong Wai‘anae residents Chisa Dodge and Kaleo (Bumper) Johnson. "Wai‘anae is different because it's country. Slower pace. It's come and stay a while," says Bumper. Chisa agrees, "If people stay a while, they don't want to leave."
Source: CZM Hawai‘iThe people who live and work in the Wai‘anae moku are the primary stakeholders in the region's ecological, cultural, and economic health. Residents of the moku value the rural, "country" character of its valleys, the pristine beauty of its mountain forests, the friendliness of neighbors, and its uncrowded beaches. At the same time, many community members appreciate the benefits that are associated with economic development. Achieving a balance between future development and conservation of Wai‘anae's many natural, cultural, and historical resources is an important priority in ensuring a sustainable future for the Wai‘anae moku. The people of the Wai‘anae moku will ultimately determine what land use strategies will best achieve that balance.
The following sections provide information on Wai‘anae's cultural history, socioeconomic characteristics, land management, and environmental laws and organizations. The cultural history describes Wai‘anae's community and culture from settlement to the present day. The socioeconomic information combines demographic, social, and economic data about the Wai‘anae moku. Information on land management is presented to show how people currently use the land within the moku and to discuss some of the environmental effects of those uses. Finally, information is presented on the laws and organizations that exist to manage and protect the natural environment in Wai‘anae.
Community Perspectives
Interview with Ruben Parker, Jr.
Source: CZM Hawai‘iNote: The Quicktime movie player is needed to view the video clips above. Get Quicktime.
Wai‘anae Coast Boasts History, Pride
"From Nānākuli to Wai‘anae, from Kahe to Kaena, hele no, hele mai.
Those are the golden people of Wai‘anae that the sun rises, shines and sets on Ka Po‘e O Wai‘anae, iiki no (observant in a friendly way); Ka Po‘e O Wai‘anae are Hoolako (enriched) with the culture aspect of Wai‘anae from Kolekole, Lualualei (the raw flesh, the flexible wreath) to Mauna Ka‘ala (fragrant mountain) from mauka (upward) to makai (seaward) we are Hoolako (enriched)."
– Agnes Cope, Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Related References
City and County of Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting. 2000. Waianae Sustainable Communities Plan. http://honoluludpp.org/planning/Waianae/Wai1.pdf
Cope, A. 1987. Waianae Coast Boasts History, Pride. Honolulu Star-Bulletin. February 17, 1987. Honolulu, HI.
