"Kokua Waikiki 1870" Diamond Head Waikiki

“Kokua Waikiki 1870” Diamond Head, Waikiki

  by Bill Braden

The Helumoa Royal Coconut Grove of 10,000 coconut palms was a dominant feature of the Waikiki landscape until the late 1800’s.  The legend of Helumoa goes something like this.  A long time ago, Kakuhihewa the High Chief of this area had a vision in which a moa (a chicken) was picking at the ground.  The High Chief declared a Kapu of that very ground.  It was now a forbidden area thu coconuts that fell to the ground germinated and proliferated until the huge grove was formed.  Surfing in this area was also Kapu except for the Ali’i’s – Royalty.  This particular rendering of Helumoa was commissioned by rock star and environmentalist Jack Johnson and his wife Kim for use as a Kokua Festival poster in 2005.  The open space on the top right was to insert the headliners that year including rock star Jackson Browne.