Pu‘u Ōla‘i is said to be the tail of the mo‘o wahine (lizard woman) Inaina, while the islet of Molokini represents her head. According to legend, Inaina was torn apart in a great battle, and her body became part of the landscape. These landforms serve as powerful reminders of the mythic past and the enduring presence of mo‘o spirits in Hawaiian culture. The story reflects the deep connection between the natural world and the spiritual beliefs of the Native Hawaiian people.

Kaho‘olawe holds deep spiritual and historical significance, with over 3,000 archaeological sites reflecting its past as a navigational hub, quarry, agricultural center, and sacred refuge. After suffering exploitation as a penal colony, ranching site, and military bombing range, Native Hawaiian activism led to its protection and restoration under the Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve Commission. Today, efforts continue to heal the land and preserve its cultural legacy for future generations.

Molokini Crater, a crescent-shaped remnant of volcanic eruption, arcs gracefully from the ocean as both a geological marvel and a protected marine sanctuary. Beyond its rugged beauty and rich underwater life, Molokini holds a place in Hawaiian myth, symbolizing resilience and transformation born from Pele’s legendary passion and the island’s volcanic origins.

The Kealaikahiki Channel, spanning 17 miles between Lāna‘i and Kaho‘olawe, served as a crucial navigational route linking Hawai‘i to its ancestral Polynesian homeland, Tahiti. Known for its strong currents and winds, this “Tahiti Express” helped guide ancient voyaging canoes across the Pacific. More than a physical waterway, it symbolizes the enduring cultural and spiritual ties between Hawai‘i and the broader Polynesian world.

Lāna‘i, Hawai‘i’s smallest inhabited island, is known for its quiet, timeless atmosphere and history as Pineapple Island, with most of its land now owned by Larry Ellison. One of its most unique sites is the Garden of the Gods, a stark, rocky landscape shaped by legend and natural forces rather than lush vegetation. This sacred area reflects both Lāna‘i’s dramatic beauty and deep cultural roots.

The West Maui Mountains, known as Kahālāwai, are revered in Hawaiian tradition as a sacred meeting place of waters and a realm where earth and sky unite, symbolizing both natural beauty and spiritual significance. Known for lush valleys, towering peaks like Pu‘u Kukui, and mythic names such as Hale Mahina and Mauna ‘E‘eka, the mountains embody both cultural legends and vital ecosystems. Historically, Kahālāwai also holds ‘Īao Valley, the site of the pivotal 1790 Battle of Kepaniwai, marking its importance in Hawai‘i’s unification and heritage.