Ewa District, Hawaii facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ewa
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District
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| Etymology: "Crooked" | |
Outline of the ʻEwa District from a
19th century Hawaiian map |
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| Country | United States |
| State | Hawaii |
ʻEwa is a historic district on the island of Oʻahu in Hawaii. In ancient times, it was one of the original moku, which were large land divisions. These moku were like counties or provinces.
What Does ʻEwa Mean?
The name ʻEwa has a special meaning in the Hawaiian language. It means "crooked" or "ill-fitting."
The Myth of the Stone
There's a cool story about how ʻEwa got its name. Long ago, two important Hawaiian gods, Kāne and Kanaloa, were trying to decide where the boundaries of the land should be. They threw a stone to mark the spot.
However, the stone got lost! Later, it was found at a place called Pili o Kahe. Because the stone didn't land where it was supposed to, the area was named ʻEwa, meaning "crooked" or "off-target."
ʻEwa as a Direction
In the city of Honolulu, people often use ʻEwa to describe a direction. If you hear someone say they are going "ʻEwa," it means they are heading west.
This is the opposite of going "Diamond Head," which means heading east. So, ʻEwa helps people find their way around Oʻahu!
