13-03-2025
Why is it called Kūhiō Beach?
HONOLULU (KHON2) – In the ahupuaʻa of Waikīkī, which lies in the moku of Kona here on Oʻahu, stands a busy roadway named in honor of the only royal US congressman.
We are speaking of Kūhiō Ave.
Lewers St, who is it named after?
In Hawaiian, the word kūhiō can be look upon as kū, meaning 'to stand' and hiō, meaning 'to lean or to slant.'
To some, the meaning of the name Kūhiōis 'the one who leaned forward while standing.'
The street is in honor of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole who became Hawaiʻi's second delegate to the US Congress.
As the only US Congressman of royal decent till this day, Prince Kūhiō worked to elevate the rights of his 1921, the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act was signed leading to what we know today as the Hawaiian Homelands.
As did many of the Hawaiian royal members, Prince Kūhiō once lived in Waikīkī.
At what is now known as Kūhiō Beach once stood his seaside residence named Pualeilani.
Prior to the prince, this land belonged to Queen Liliʻuokalani with what she called 'my pretty seaside cottage.'
What included a pier, the Queen's shoreline property was named Keʻalohilani and once stood near the intersection of Kalākaua and Liliʻuokalani Avenues.
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In 1918, one year following Queen Liliʻuokalani's passing, Prince Kūhiō obtained her property.
Built adjacent to the Queen's former pier, Pualeilani was the last space in Waikīkī that remained to the royal family.
In 1935, following a succession of tea rooms, the property was purchased at auction by the City & County of Honolulu.
In the name of beach improvements, the city, the house and the Queen's pier.
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Today, the area is known as Kūhiō Beach.
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