Kapaona Ancestors' Legacy, Protecting The Aina

The Kapaona heirs from North Kohala were granted lands going back as far from Kamehameha the Great, totaling approximately 75+ eka. We currently only have two parcels left totaling 17+ eka (Helu 737 and Helu 8705) belonging to the Kapaona heirs except for Surety’s portion on Helu 737 (3 eka). Our Goal is to demolish the unsafe existing structure which has been made worst by squatters on Helu 737, maintain our ancestors’ burial site on Helu 737, pay for property taxes and maintain the aina for future generations. If we are to secure and protect the remaining aina, we request support from our Ohana (family and friends). A part of our ancestors universe, time is kept not by years but by generations. Therefore, for future and current generations, let’s preserve our remaining aina for everyone to enjoy, share and talk story about North Kohala, our family and aina.

Our story starts after the ancient pacific islander’s voyage to the Hawaiian Islands. The purpose of this story is to provide our Ohana the aina history of our Kapaona ancestors that lived, thrived in historic North Kohala. After the aina research, our aina starts with Helu 8701 award to Paona in Niulii, Kohala Hawaii in June 1851, 3.25 eka. It appears that our 4xGreat Grandfather’s name was Paona and in accordance with the foreign and native testimonies, W. Kapaona was his son, and he inherited this land in the name of Kapaona. This land was given to Paona by Kamehameha the Great to cultivate with Kalo patches. There was no Royal Patent award, no indication that property was sold; however, this land is part of an existing TMK (no relations to Kapaona/Paona). This is the aina that William (W.) Kapaona grew up and became a landowner.

William Kapaona (known as Kapaona) was born 1821 and died April 4, 1897, of old age (76 years old). All of the land assessments used his last name Kapaona. The first Helu 454 was the Ainakea land grant to Kapaona laua o Nakui, which was awarded Nov 1850 for 20 eka. Along with other Hawaiian families and their aina, Kapaona sold Helu 454 to Rev. Elias Bond Aug 28, 1852, with wife Nakoo present to sign documents. Our first verification of 3xGreat Grandma Nakoo! At that time, she was already married to 3xGreat Grandpa Kapaona.

The second Helu 737 award was Jan 1852 which was the Pahoa land grant for 25.10 eka in North Kohala Hawaii. The TMK is referred to as Lot 24, address 55-3532 Akoni Pule Highway. This aina is the Kapaona burial site recognized by the State Historic Preservation Division of Dept of Land & Natural Resources. Great Grandpa Edward Kapaona, Great Grandma Keola, and Great Great Grandma Maela lived on this property. Other family members buried there are Edward Kapaona’s decendents. Most of the property is agricultural, except for the unsafe structures that should be demolished. This is the primary undivided land that belongs to the fee owners: Surety Kohala Corp (3 eka), Violet Lopez, George K Kapaona Dec’d, Moses K Kapaona Dec’d, Elizabeth Mookini Dec’d, Manual Belanio III, Edward K Kapaona Dec’d. We have asked Surety to return the land to the family; but they are not ready to take any action on this request. We pay taxes on this property.

The third Helu 2770 award was May 1861, 20 eka at Honomakau. It has been validated by other historians that the Kapaona grave site is located on this property which is now below the Kohala High School. Our 3xGreat Grandfather William Kapaona and his son Daniel Kekaula Kapaona (2xGreat Grandfather) are both buried at Honomakau. W Kapaona sold 4 eka to Kaelemakule July 1872 otherwise no other activity shown regarding the transition over to the Territory of Hawaii for public education purpose.

The fourth Helu 2585 award was in 1859, 8.5 eka in Honomakau. W. Kapaona sold 8.5 eka to Kanekoa in July 1884.

Land Commission Award Helu 8705 award was 1851 to Kaiwinui for 6 eka. The TMK is referred to as Lot 17. This land was also given to Kaiwinui by Kamehameha the Great. W Kapaona purchased from Kaiwinui’s daughter (Kuiloulu) Mar 31, 1877, prior to Royal Patent 7578 award in 1882. Transfer or assignment was made from Castle Cooke to Kapaona heirs in 1948. There is no easement to Honomakau Road and the property has overgrowth of trees and bushes. We pay reduced taxes on this property since there is no access to Honomakau Road. Two historical sites have been identified and recorded. We have a dispute regarding property line as shown on TMK map. We would require a lawyer to survey and prepare easement to Honomakau Road, and obtain appropriate owner’s signatures.

Our first concern is protecting the grave site on Lot 24. We can only do this preservation of the property as a family. We extend our mahalo to those of you that took the time to read this story and contributed in some manner to the Kapaona Aina Legacy. Please reach out to us should you want genealogy or aina information. The research is not complete due to the lack of written information during the late 1700s and early to mid-1800s. I am still trying to locate a picture of 3xGreat Grandpa W Kapaona and pursue 4xGreat Grandpa Paona relationship with Kamehameha the Great, …so the family research continues.

With Warmest Aloha,

Great Granddaughters of Edward Kapaona, Granddaughters of Agnes Keola Kapaona Tampos and daughters of Marian R. Perreira Reyes

Raynette Nani Reyes Fukui

Diane Napua Reyes McHugh