|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
| |
 |
Kaneana Cave
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
PHOTOS |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Click on a thumbnail to
see a larger version of the photo |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
OVERVIEW |
|
| |
|
|
| |
For
150,000 years the island of Hawaii has
harbored a secret. Near Makua on Oahu, the
volcanic rock was eroded by the sea to form
a cave out of a giant lava tube. This is
where the local people believe mankind was
born, emerging from the womb of the earth
goddess. They called the cave Kaneana, after
the god of creation, Kane.
Legend has it that the Shark-man Nanaue
(also called Kaneana and Makua Charlie)
later reigned from this cave. Like all fine
myths, the story of the Hawaiian Shark-man
includes drama, camaraderie, and a
respectable amount of bloody murder.
Born from a Shark father (the shape-shifter
Kamohoali’i) and a human mother, it was only
when Nanaue first experienced the taste of
meat that his carnivorous heritage led to
incontrollable bloodlust. He would assume
human form to trick his prey, then drag them
back to the cave for dinner. Fortunately, he
was eventually chopped up by the Hawaiian
people. The cave was also home to both a
powerful shark goddess and Madame Pele.
Honoring this colorful history, the cave has
been the site of magic, ritual and religious
ceremonies. The area around the cave has
been considered sacred and kapu
(taboo) by local communities in recent
times.
The cave is a hundred feet high and four
hundred and fifty feet deep. It is dark and
wet (do bring a flashlight and sturdy
shoes). At the back of the cave there is a
slimy stone where the shark man was said to
leave his victims until he was ready to eat
them.
Various small tunnels lead from the main
cavern – although the cave has been
desecrated with graffiti it is not fully
explored and is completely unmapped,
unmarked and not maintained. It is therefore
very dangerous to venture inside the
tunnels. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
DIRECTIONS |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Take H1
West bound. Continue on H1 until it turns
into Farrington Highway. Go through Waianea
and Makaha. Kaneana Cave will be on your
right about two miles before you get to
Kaena Point State Park. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
