Journey to the Summer Palace of King Kamehameha III

 May 26th, 2014 (Memorial Day)


The ruins of Kaniakapupu (the singing of the land shell) are just outside of Honolulu off Nu'uanu Pali Drive. This is one of the islands hidden gems, not in many guide books and not easy to find. King Kamehameha III would come to this palace to get away from the pressures of foreign diplomacy. Away from the prying eyes of the European super powers he and his advisers could get out of their western style clothing and lifestyles, returning to a more traditional way of being. The palace is built on what was once a heaiu (temple) that was dedicated to helping people traveling across the island.

After a delicious breakfast at Cinnamon's, we set out to find the trail head to get to the ruins. It lies off to the side of a small road, there are no signs or parking for it. Our local guide Jennifer took the lead and after a little help from another local collecting flowers, we found a gap in the bamboo forest that is the start of the trail. The guide book said it was only a short hike through the bamboo forest to reach the ruins. After walking through the bamboo forest for a short way we came to a fork, we went left. We walked for a couple more minutes when word was passed back that we might have taken the wrong path, so backtracked to a little side trail we had passed a moment before. It did not last long before it brought us to a trail and we headed right on it.

Things were starting to look familiar then suddenly we were back at the first fork, just on the trail we didn't take. At this point I realized we had just taken a big loop de loop.

Bamboo on the left, bamboo on the right, bamboo above our heads

There was a short break for a consultation and photo shoot before another path was chosen and we set out again. Still in the bamboo forest, we made our way through more bamboo. Suddenly Steve spotted a strange object off the trail in the bamboo forest and went to investigate. After a few minutes of detective work the predominate theory is that it was a moonshine still of some sorts. I didn't realize that Chi Chi was made in a still in the middle of a bamboo forest...maybe that's why its so magical!?

Turns out that a little ways past the still sight, we were turned back around at a private property sign. We backtracked to a turn off that our guides had passed. On the way there, guess what we saw!? That's right, more.....BAMBOO!!!

 After a few more minutes of walking, the scenery started to change. There was the remains of a stone wall, plants other than bamboo and finally what looked like a stone pathway leading to the front of the palace ruins.

The plaque tells about the palace and that there was once a lua'u for 10,000 people at this sight. Draped on the plaque and a couple other parts of the palace were leis and strands of shells, meant to be an offering to the ancestors of the native Hawaiians. Don't worry, they no longer practice human sacrifice on Oah'u. I believe you have to go to Maui to see that...Just kidding you dumb haoles!

Looking at the layout of the ruins, it makes one realize that your idea of palace and their idea of palace are very different! When it was at its peak, it was about as large as a slightly above average size American family home!

 

Next stop Kalihi Ice Ponds!