Kūkaniloko ("to withhold the cry from within" (1)) is said to be at the geographical center of Oahu, one of two known sites solely used for birthing of high ranking Hawaiian royalty (Holoholokū on Kaua'i is perhaps the other). Chief Nānākāoko and his wife Kahihiokalani supposedly created this birthing site for the birth of their ali'i son Kapawa, sometime between 600 and 1100 AD.
When you enter the site today, rows of eighteen pōhaku line either side of the walkway. These symbolically represent the 36 chiefs that were required to witness the birth (so they could confirm the child born was in fact ali'i). There were originally two rows of eighteen pōhaku about the birthing stone, but today the pōhaku are scattered randomly (2).
Imagine walking up toward the birthing site instead of out on to level ground. Some think the birthing site used to be elevated, and that the topography has been altered by agricultural practices and weathering over time. Imagine also that the site was a few hundred acres. It is only five now, but is thought to have been much larger.
The video linked below says there were about 184 pōhaku in the area to confuse any trespassers as to which stone was the birthing stone. Van James (1991) says it was thought that 'aumākua within the stones could relieve labor pains.
The video linked below describes how the birthing stone may have been used. After birth, the child was taken to a nearby stream (video) or the now non-existent Ho'olonopahu Heiau (Van James) where 48 chiefs would witness the cutting of the umbilical cord (video). The afterbirth and umbilical cord were regarded similar to 'iwi (sacred and full of mana) and buried in separate places.
Two drums were sounded to let the commoners and possibly those at Holoholokū on Kaua'i (which is said to be in the line of sight of Kūkaniloko) know that the birth was successful. It is thought that the large drums may have been used to facilitate communication between Kūkaniloko and Holoholokū.
The stone with peripheral ridges was found to be useful as a calendar, similar to Stonehenge. A UHM scholar says there is a pōhaku in the Gilbertese Islands that is similar to this one.
Daughters of Hawaii, who saved Queen Emma Summer Palace and Hulihe'e and now offers excellent guided tours of these properties, was instrumental in preserving this site in 1925. It is now listed on both the State and National Historic Registers.
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| Was this stone a calendar? |
Sources/more information: see (2), this Star Bulletin article, and this video.
(1) It is said that if the pregnant woman ali'i followed the kahuna's prescribed birthing plan, the birth would be painless.
(2) "Ancient Sites of O'ahu" by Van James.