Awa‘awapuhi: Eel valley

Alt: Awāwa-puhi, Eel valley

Alt: ‘Awa‘awapuhi, Ginger valley

Alt: Waha-puhi, Noisy eel

Awa‘awapuhi is a narrow steep sided valley extending from the sea to its headwaters on the south end of Ka-hua-ma‘a flats in the mountains. The mauka border point is Pōhaku-wa‘awa‘a on the Ka-unu-o-Hua ridge.

There are remains of taro terraces on both sides of the stream, ranging from two to four feet high. There are also many house sites. There are burial caves on the western cliffs.

The valley, according to legend, was gouged out by a large eel. He had come from the south with his two sisters but when they reached Ni‘ihau, the sisters were so tired they crawled ashore to rest. The brother however was too curious to rest and swam along the Nāpali coast. He gazed up into the mountains and was curious as to what was up there. So he climbed the cliff, gouging out this valley. It was cold in the uplands and the eel became sluggish and fell asleep.