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Kona

Kona is the eastern district of the southern coast of O'ahu, from Kuli'ou'ou in the east to Moanalua in the west. "Kona" refers to the downwind or leeward side of an island. Kona includes the present-day city of Honolulu. In ancient times, the district of Waikiki was the most densely populated area in the Hawaiian Islands. "Here the chiefs had their residences near the now famous beach and the offshore waters where conditions were ideal for their prized sport of surfriding. This in early times idyllic area was flanked by the great wet-taro lands of Manoa, and the area between that valley and the sea which was one continuous spread of taro and and fishponds; by Pauoa, Nu'uanu, Waolani, Kapalama, and Kalihi; and by Moanalua and other cultivated lands farther to the west" (Handy and Handy 270). The offshore areas were noted fishing grounds for aku (skipjack tuna), the most prized fish of ancient times, and the fishing god 'Ai'ai made his home in Nu'uanu.