The Legend Of Kolekole

Kolekole

Kolekole

In the old days people from Wahiawa side would meet those from Waianae at Kolekole and attempt to cross over. Each would challenge the other for the right to pass. The losing chief would then have to kneel before the big rock and place his head on it and be killed. His skin was then stripped form the flesh and bones (leaving it raw- Kolekole)*. The spoils of the battle and the bones were then brought to the heiau in Halona and offered in sacrifice. Below Kolekole and beyond Kailio is a hair-pin turn known as Hupe Loa for the retainers of the vanquished chief because of the weeping and blowing of noses.

As told to Tutu Ana Kahahawai of Waianae by Koanaeha, a relative and associate of Queen Emma,
1954

* Mrs, Pukii says “holehole” is to strip the flesh. She believes the name Kolekole most likely came because of the battles and the wounds the warriors received, leaving their flesh raw–“kolekole”. The idea of the chief kneeling before a rock to be killed seems modern.