Aldei Kawika Gregoire, site creator—
Every weekend when I was a child, my parents would haul my brother and me from our home in Haiku, bound for Kaupo. Our destination was my grandparent’s house in a valley nestled at the base of Kaupo Gap. There, I would spend my days roaming the neighboring streambeds, gulches and ridges.
Later, I left Maui for college and studied photojournalism. During this time, I began to develop an idea for a photography project about Kaupo. In 2008, I returned to Maui and set out on this goal. Much of that year was spent living at my grandparent’s house (then empty) in Kaupo, hiking and taking pictures.
In the following years, I have focused on learning more about the history of Kaupo, talking with old-timers and poring over historical and scholarly writings.
This site is a reflection of the explorations I have made of the physical landscape of Kaupo and the stories associated with it.
Acknowledgments
Thanks first to my grandparents Sam and Pauline Gregoire for making Kaupo their home. Emerson Makekau, former Kaupo Ranch manager, gave me unrestricted access; most of the photos on this site would not have been possible without him. Andy and Bernie Graham of Nuu Mauku Ranch opened their land to me and gave me a job. Frank Poouahi, Chunga Kahaleauki, Roland Kanuha, Ivy Doke, Sam Kaai, and Bob Murakami shared their memories of growing up in Kaupo.
I am grateful for the Kaupo residents and visitors from the 1800s and early 1900s who toiled to record the history that was dying away. These people include Elia Paulo Helekunihi, W. B. Kapu, Moses Manu, J. W. P. Keolanui, Joseph Marciel and Josephine Kealoha Marciel.
Finally, thanks to those such as Pat Kirch, Alex Baer and Michael Kolb who are using modern science to uncover the past—literally—through their archaeological research.
