Hawaii Diary 2000
Part 5: Oahu's Leeward Shore - Makua Bay, Makua Beach and Kaneana Cave
Robi Kahakalau, one of Hawaii's best known singers, describes Makua in a mele of the same name as "the place where we Hawaiians can still be free". Needless to say the governments use of this land in a destructive fashion
remains a subject of much debate. Nearby Makua Beach is beautiful. It was used for principal
filming in the 1965 film version of James Michener's Hawaii starring Julie
Andrews. Just a tad south of Makua on your left is the Kaneana Cave.
Kaneana is named after Kane, the Hawaiian god of creation. One story holds that from
inside the depth of Kaneana, symbolic of the earth goddess' womb, mankind emerged and his
existence spread throughout the Waianae Coast. It is told that in ancient times entry in
the cave was forbidden, as it was said to be the home of Nanaue, the shark man of
Kaneana. The cave is huge. Unfortunately the beauty and sacred
nature of the cave is overshadowed by lots of graffiti. Next Page
> Mak`aha Beach and the Kolekole Pass > Page
1, 2, 3
Makua Bay
Photo by John Fischer
Kaneana Cave
Photo by John Fischer
