Waikoloa Village Street Names and Their Meanings

Ever wonder what that street name means?

I was recently doing some web surfing and came across an old online copy of Waikoloa Village’s “Petro-Glympses” newsletter from March of 1975, where many streets in Waikoloa Village were listed with translations provided by Ilona Nakamoto, who at that time was the secretary to Robert Hoffman, Waikoloa general manager.

I found it to be pretty interesting and some of the names are just perfect for the streets! So, here’s a bit of village trivia for you:

• Auhili: To turn off course, wander
• Ehako: Chinese ring-necked dove. Name said to be its call. (I used to live on Ehako Place and remember the doves calling day and night)
• Ho’oko: To fulfill
• Ka-uhiwai: Fog
• Kaupapa: A generation back
• Kehela: Name of a star
• Kimo-nui: Big Jim

Here on Ehako Place, I would hear the cooing of the doves on the street named after a dove

• Kohea: Warm, clear, serene weather
• Ko’i’ula: Rainbow-hued rain, mist, cloud
• Lahilahi: Delicate
• Laie: Vine leaf
• Lauia: Parrotfish
• Lanakila: Victory, triumph
• Laule’a: Peace, happiness, friendship
• Lina-poepoe: Circle, returning to the same place. (My very favorite!! Who hasn’t wandered lost on this street?)
• Lua-hoana: Halo, or rainbow around sun or moon
• Mahina: Moon, month, moonlight
• Malina: Calm, soothing
• Mana-hua: A variety of taro
• Mikohu: Good looking, attractive
• Niu-haohao: Young coconut
• Pakanu: Garden, cultivated place
• Paniolo: Cowboy
• Pa’akea: Coral beds, limestone
• Paunani: Beautifully finished
• Piki: Shortened, irregular
• Pili kai: Morning glory vine
• Pu’u nui: Big hills (and it does go up and down)
• Uala: Potato
• Ua-noe: Mist

And that’s the list of streets—sorry if your street didn’t make this list. There have been a few more streets added since 1975…maybe we should find someone willing to do an update on the list?

I love the Big Island! Aloha.