History of the Land
Water has always been a challenge in Kaupo. The district lies in the rain shadow of Haleakala, with no permanent streams in the lower, habitable zone. Because of this, springs served as the main source of water until water systems were installed in the early 1900s. Over a dozen springs dotted the Kaupo landscape. In…
Swept to Death Over Maui Cliff Missionary From Utah Loses Life In Journey Over Treacherous Trail (Evening Bulletin, January 10, 1911) HANA, Maui, Jan. 10. Losing his footing in a swift stream that swept over the cliff and down to the sea more than a thousand feet below, Elder J. E. Kirkman, of the Mormon…
("Nuhou Kuloko", Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, October 15, 1881) There have been a great deal of alalaua and aweoweo fish at Kaupo. People have been able to catch many fish, and the famine there has been resolved. From L. Kau of Kaupo, Maui we have heard of an earthquake. They heard landslides at Helani cliff and…
(Maui News, January 2, 1960) Sometime during the week before Christmas, possibly even Christmas Eve, high winds blew off a portion of the roof of St. Joseph’s Church at Kaupo, a 92-year-old structure. However, according to police reports, Father Basil Colloton did not receive news of the damage until December 27, and was not able…
Marciel Dies At Home In Valley View (Maui News, August 19, 1939) HANA, Aug. 16 — Anthony V. Marciel, well-known rancher of Kaupo, died at his home at Valley View, Kaupo, at 5:45 Monday following a prolonged illness. Mr. Marciel, who was 58 years old, suffered an attack of heart disease. He was a well…
Bishop rededicates rebuilt church (Maui News, May 21, 1938) KAUPO, Maui, May 16—Kaupo had its first church fair Saturday and Sunday when Bishop Stephen Alencastre visited Kaupo to rededicate the 75 year old St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic church. The community entered into the spirit of the occasion with a will and gross receipts totaled more…
One day in late October 1945, Kaupo resident Abel Kawaiaea rode his horse to Mokulau around noon. The wind had calmed after days of rough seas, and the young cowboy, who had turned 20 the week before, had his fishing net in hand. As Abel scanned the ocean, he spotted a large fishing float off…
Surf Boards From Hawaii To This Isle Gene Smith Paddles Board on 40-Mile Cruise All Alone (Maui News, October 27, 1945) Hawaii’s one-man Navy scored again! Gene Smith of Honolulu—the one man Navy, aided only by his surfboard—added another glowing chapter to his ever-growing accomplishments with a 12 hours, 25 minutes 40-mile trip unescorted from…
(Ko Hawaii Pae Aina, September 21, 1878) Naaieono of Kula, Maui reports of a great famine at Nuu, Kaupo, and of panini cactus fruit being cooked in kettles as a drink to allay the intense hunger that has caused sunken eyes. (Ko Hawaii Pae Aina, October 5, 1878) Word has come from W. A. Kala…
A Eulogy for Mrs. Keamalu Pihana ("He Hooalohaloha no Mrs. Keamalu Pihana", Ke Alakai o Hawaii, September 3, 1931) Kipahulu, Maui, August 20, 1931. Dear Mr. Editor of Ke Alakai o Hawaii, greetings: Please be so kind as to devote some columns of our dear one for my tearful message of love for the one…