The Kipapa Gulch is located in central Oahu in Hawaii. It is haunted by the spirits of Hawaiian warriors that lost their lives in a bitter battle that was fought here in the 15th century.
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| The bridge today. |
A Beloved King
The people of Oahu were starving. They rebelled and killed their chief.
They chose another leader named Mailikukahi. He was born in Kukaniloko, a place highly regarded because it was hallowed ground.
Mailikukahi became a beloved King. His wise, firm and judicious government has been compared to England’s King Arthur.
He opened schools to educate his people, a privilege once restricted to those of higher status.
Mailikukahi abolished human sacrifice. As a religious leader, he built Heiaus, which are temples, where his people could take refuge and be healed when they were sick.
He encouraged his people to cultivate the land and raise animals so they could feed themselves. He instated a code of laws that demanded the islands’ leaders stop stealing from the people or death would be the penalty.
He didn’t demand an auhau or tax from the people for they willingly brought the fruit of their labors to him.
The people of Oahu now prospered. Word of Mailikukahi’s accomplishments spread throughout the Hawaiian Islands.
But jealousy reared its ugly head.
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| Kipapa Gulch |
The Battle of Kipapa Gulch
The peace and prosperity of Mailikukahi’s government intimidated the chiefs of Maui and the big island of Hawaii.
They were worried about his power and influence. Jealous of his successes, they worried it was a threat to the power they held over their own people.
In 1410, they declared war on Mailikukahi’s government. These two island chiefs invaded Oahu, landing in Waikiki--they then marched inland.
They met Mailikukahi and his men at Kipapa Gulch, where a gruesome battle ensued.
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| Battle of Kipapa Gulch |
Mailikukahi and his warriors were able to prevail over these invaders. The bloodshed of the fallen, literally flooded this gulch.
The corpses of thousands of warriors that invaded Ouha lay dead. The name Kipapa was given to the area--meaning “paved way’’-- or paved with the dead.
The two leaders skulls were taken and placed on poles as a reminder to others of their fate if they chose to invade Oahu.
Restless Spirits
The Hawaiian people believe this bloody battle left behind many torn or unsettled spirits.
They state these fallen warriors haunt the Kipapa Gulch Bridge and the surrounding area. The many head-on car accidents that happen on this bridge are attributed to them.
So is this just a legend or do these spirits haunt this area?
Residents have reported seeing torches floating through the air--following a path down the mountain to the ocean through this gulch.
These Hawaiian spirit warriors are called the “Night Marchers.”
The White Lady
Another spirit said to haunt this bridge is a White Lady. She appears on this bridge at night dressed all in white.
1 comment:
Cool article!!
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