A few years ago the proposed luxury development next to Maui Meadows changed its name from Wailea 670 to Honua’ula. Is there any harm in changing the name of a subdivision searching for a “brand” identity to a “more Hawaiian” name?

In traditional Hawaiian life, a name was often very important. A place name like Wailea, for example, told a story. Wailea today is a multimillion-dollar brand name symbolizing glamorous hotels, shops and luxury gated communities. In one more generation, few will recall that Wailea once referred to a small spring and the remains of an ancient Hawaiian fishing settlement on Wailea Point. Fewer still will recall the place name Kahamanini, referring to the abundance of reef fish in nearby waters.

Wailea is part of the ahupua’a of Paeahu, an ancient place name telling a story of many rows of stacked rock (ahu) used to dry fish, plant sweet potatoes or as ceremonial markers. Dozens of “rock mounds” were noted in Wailea golf course archaeological surveys. They, like the names Kahamanini and Paeahu, have now vanished from our sight and our memories, replaced with smooth golf courses, now “re-branded” as Wailea.