Photos [12] - Laniloa

[rozae]

Laniloa the Mo'o
A Legend of O'ahu

This point of land that extends out into
the ocean is called Laniloa. According to
legend, this peninsula was originally a
"mo'o" or giant lizard standing upright
ready to kill any intruder.
    After Kana (a legendary warrior) and his
brother had rescued their mother from
Moloka'i and had taken her back to
Hawai'i, Kana set out on a journey to
kill all the mo'o in the islands. In time
he arrived in La'ie where the mo'o had been
killing many people. Kana easily defeated
the mo'o. Taking its head he chopped it
into five pieces and flung them into the
ocean. The pieces of the lizard's head can
still be seen today as five small islands
lying off-shore. Their original names were
Kihewamoku, Moluaaniwa, Pulemoku,
Malualai and Keauakaluapaaa. *

(Source: "Hawai'ian Legends" by William Rice
Bishop Museum Bulletin Honolulu, HI. 1923)

* The names of the islands have changed over time.





Kukuiho'olua







Mokualai off La'ie (or Laniloa) Point