HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0725.004 2000-2002MANGO TREE GROVE ALONG THE OLD GOVERNMENT ROAD BETWEEN
THE 1960 KAI~OI-IO LAVA FLOW AND VVA `A OVA `A
The mango tree grave along this segment of the Old Government road is exceptional
culturally, historically and scenically. Towering trees Line the road forming an almost
unbroken cathedral-like ceiling. Old stone walls, hale, rose apple, avacado trees, hau,
awapui, and other greenery add to the landscape as far as the eye can see. There are
increasingly few places left on the islands that so compellingly embody the feeling of
Old Hawaii.c.~ov~~
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CULTLJRALAND HISTORICAL VALUE:iaT<;~?,.
John Ka`iewe, Jr. who was born in 1929, was interviewed by Kepa Maly in his survey
of the 01d Government Road north of this segment. I-Ie reported that the mango trees
that lined this road and other trails were purposely planted by Hawaiians to provide
shelter and fruit for the traveler To this day, many people collect mango, avacado, and
rose apple from along the road. In fact, much of the mango pickle in Puna probably
comes from these trees on a good year. The present alignment of the road and some of
the adjacent walls date from the 1590's. The trees are estimated to be around the same
age.
John T. Faris in his 1929 book "Paradise of the Pacific" described a dense tropical jun-
gle of guava, coconut and mango trees along the road as he was walking north from
Kapoho.
The mango tree grove along the Old Government Road passes through the ahupua`a of
Kahuwai, site of the ancient village of Kahuwai, now owned by Kamehameha Schools.
There is extensive archeology in this ahupua'a, and the neighboring ahupua`a as well.
Kam Schools has recently put up signage along-the road that says "Na Kupuna
Crossing", below that, a mete, and also signs warning "Kapu, I-Iawaiian Burial Sites,
Protected by Law" on both sides of the road. Kam Schools is running an outreach pro-
gram there, giving keiki cultural experiences and teaching Hawaiian history.
SCENIC VALUE:
A person need only travel the road once to remember it forever. One woman traveler
with whom I talked to said that the mango tree grove along the road and the scenic cor-
ridor that surrounds it was what she spoke of most when relating her travel experiences
to friends back on ties mainland. I-Ier impression is a very common one among tourists,
visitors and residents. In fact, it is designated as a "Site of Natural Beauty" in the pres-
ent County General Plan.
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The road and mango tree grove is noted as a scenic area in guide books, including,
Hawai`i: The Big Island Revealed" (picture) and "Country Roads of Ha~vai`i". Frorn
the latter, "...the shore road enters the tropical forest through a tunnel of giant mango
trees, hanging vines, bird's nest ferns, coconut palms, pandanus, and every other species
that Puna has to offer. Iarive slowly and savor the experience."
tBeorge Csordan Berry may have said it best in a 1360 piece he wrote for the Honolulu
Star Bulletin, "Along the rugged volcanic cliffs of Puna's undulating seacoast, Nature
has designed an extravagant saanpling of true South-Sea Island beauty....The roads are
narrow, often unpaved, but with it all delightfully rural, quaint, picturesque.
Everywhere is green, damp, rank, exotic:'
Testimony from:
Sherry Kelso for
Nialama 4 Puna and
The Wa`a wa`a-Koa`e Road Action Committee