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Mililani Uka Elementary School is poetically translated
as: Nestled in the uplands- the beloved place (of the chiefs). The name
of this school should be pronounced: {mee-lee-la-knee u-ka). “UKA”
is a directional and can be found abundantly in Hawaiian songs, poetry
and prose. The school is truly nestled between the Wai’anae and Ko’olau
mountains, both important water sources for the present-day community of
Mililani. “MILILANI” refers to a new and ever-expanding community with
shopping centers, recreational parks and a golf course. The name,
Mililani, however has links to famous individuals including Princess
Victoria Kamamalu and John Papa I’i. Major streets carry the traditional
Hawaiian names for stars, days and nights of the lunar calendar.
By comparing maps, either modern and old, we can locate the school in
the ahupua’a or small land division of Waipi’o (curved waters). At
various times, this ahupua’a was ruled by the different chiefdoms of
Wahi-awa, ‘Ewa, and even Wai’anae. The ahupua’a was so named because of
the curvatures of the stream of Waikele which formed the Waikakalaua
Gulch and the northern boundary of this land division, and the stream of
Kipapa, architect of the Kipapa Gulch, just south of the school. Chiefs
of ancient times often warred with one another for possession of this
area because of its abundance of water and its peace-loving people who
were known for their physical beauty and hospitality. The area was also
enhanced culturally with centers of learning, especially for those who
pursued the priesthood, medicine, crafts, and astronomy. In addition,
the land was an economical gold mine, producing abundant crops of taro,
yams, banana, sweet potato and numerous fishponds adjacent to the lochs
of Pu’uloa (Pearl Harbor).
The steep ridge which forms one long wall of the Kipapa Gulch serves as
the foundation on which the community and school was built. This area
was called the Kanoenoe Plains. The plains of Kanoenoe is west of the
Gulch. Poems and songs of old recall the considerable abundance of winds
of this area, blowing from Pu’uloa (Pearl Harbor) or seaward to the
inlands, from mountain base (Wai’anae) to mountain base (Ko’olau) and
vice versa. In modern times, the area became heavily cultivated with
sugar cane fields. Earlier records also indicate that in the 1800’s,
Kanoenoe was riddled with missionary endeavors, churches, settlements
and schools established by missionaries.
By no mistake, the area where Mililani Uka Elementary now stands has
always been held in high esteem. The love and care that the people of
old held for this area are well illustrated in the name. The ‘aina or
land that offered up so many blessings and the people who were noted for
their gracious hospitality and love for the ‘aina are two lasting,
cherished qualities of a school-community. Nestled between two prominent
mountain ranges, Mililani Uka is truly the beloved place.
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