Up the Creek Meet & Greet

It had been quite awhile since I’d been kayaking and what better way to get back in the water again than at Hui Wa‘a Kaukahi’s Up the Creek Meet & Greet at Kahana Stream on Sunday, November 10. I arrived at Kahana Bay Beach Park in the morning, where a group of kayakers had already gathered. Everyone greeted each other, helped unload kayaks, checked gear, and prepared for the paddle. The air was cool and a bit breezy, and the sun never made an appearance. But that didn’t dampen the spirits of the club members and their guests as they enthusiastically carried their kayaks to the shore.

The trip organizer, Terry Shimabukuro, gave a brief orientation for the 19 paddlers. Then the kayak leaders: Bill, Eileen, Steve, Stan and Norm led the way into the bay. The wind and current were a bit rough in the bay, but everyone made it safely to the mouth of the stream where we were greeted with a gentle breeze and current. Eileen led the way up the stream, while Bill, Stan, and Norm assisted new paddlers. Steve was the sweep, and helped to clear the overgrown branches out of the way for the return trip!

The stream opened into a wide lagoon surrounded by lush greenery, including large hau trees and mangroves. Here the sounds of the ocean diminished and were replaced by the distant calls of birds and the gentle lapping of the water against our kayaks. Many of us paused and just drifted in our kayaks, taking in our surroundings.

While I was taking pictures, Stan came beside my kayak and asked if I knew the history of the area. I did not and he preceded to tell me about the rich story of the Kahana Ahupuaʻa as we began to slowly paddle upstream. I was intrigued by his story, and as I tried to navigate the ever-narrowing stream, I traveled back in time to when the native Hawaiians lived here centuries ago, growing taro and ʻuala (sweet potato). I could picture them fishing for oʻopu in the stream and bay, as well as in the surrounding fishponds. I could envision the taro terraces, stone walls and ancient footpaths that still mark the landscape today. The stream served the ancient Hawaiians as a source of fresh water and a pathway connecting the mauka to the makai.

But, that began to change with the arrival of western settlers in the late 1800’s. Sugarcane plantations and cattle ranching changed the landscape and much of the traditional farming techniques were abandoned. By the early 1900’s, the Kahana Valley was sparsely populated and many of the ancient cultural practices were forgotten.

As we continued our paddle up stream, Stan continued his story describing what happened during World War II. Many local families, including native Hawaiians, who had lived in Kahana Valley for generations, were displaced by the military land seizures. The military used the valley as a training area and bomb testing sight. This led to the presence of live shells, bombs, and other ordnances that were not detonated. The cleanup efforts continue today, but some areas are still designated as unsafe, and certain parts of the valley are off limits. And I in my kayak up the creek!

In the 1950’s and 60’s, efforts were underway to develop the valley. However, at the same time, locals and environmentalists fought to find ways to preserve and protect the valley from development and to protect its culture, natural beauty and heritage. Through these efforts, the valley was designated a state park in the late 1970’s. Now, Ahupuaʻa ʻO Kahana State Park is a “living park” where 31 families live practicing native Hawaiian cultural traditions and farming.

The tide was high, and Stan moved on. The history lesson ended, but not the paddle. In some places we had to squeeze through branches and the bank to get by. When we went as far as we could, about a mile or so in, we headed back. It was a leisurely paddle all the way back to the bay. The wind and current picked up as soon as we got into the bay, but both novice and experienced paddlers made it to the beach safely.

After the paddle, we gathered at the park for a potluck-style picnic. The food was incredibly good, but the camaraderie was even better! It was a great chance to explore one of my favorite spots to paddle on Oahu, to connect with other paddlers, share story and get to know the club members and newcomers. Seventeen members and 5 guests attended the Meet & Greet. We signed up 3 new members: Mariah & Imelda Gaoiran, and Paula Gaudio.

Special thanks go to Bill, Kelvin, Carolyn, Violet and Terry for clearing out the overgrowth at the stream on November 3. We would not have made it as far up the stream as we did without their hard work and dedication to the club and our fun and safety! Bill and Steve continued to cut branches after the paddlers headed back. Now that’s commitment!