Kailua High School

In the ahupuaʻa of Kailua, which lies in the moku of Koʻolaupoko here on Oʻahu, stands the home of the Surfriders.
We are talking about Kailua High School.
Proudly representing the colors of blue and white, Kailua High School is located in an area which is relevant to its name.
The name Kailua literally means “two seas” or “two bodies of salt water” and these bodies of water still exist today.
The larger of the two is named Kawainui which translates as “the big water.”
What is now known as Kawainui Marsh, was once a large inland fishpond known for mullet and milkfish.
Story shares this was the pond to the mythical tree named Makalei.
It had the power to attract fish, not through poisoning but rather bewildering and fascination.
It was also at Kawainui where it is said to be the only place where one could find lepo ʻai ʻia, or edible mud, which apparently resembled haupia pudding.
The second body of water is Kaʻelepulu, which literally translates as “the moist blackness.”
It speaks to the once freshwater fishpond of much importance that is now referred to as Enchanted Lake.
Kaʻelepulu was known for awa, or milkfish.
History shares of an underwater tunnel connecting Kaʻelepulu with the Kuapā fishpond in Maunalua known for its ʻamaʻama or mullet.
Kūpuna speak of times when awa would disappear from Kaʻelepulu and show up in Maunalua while ʻamaʻama would vanish from Maunalua and appear in Kaʻelepulu.
Did you know? Now you do!