A chronology of events in Ha‘ena, from the death of Abner Paki (and the birth of Hui Ku‘ai ‘Aina) to the dissolution of the Hui in the 1960s, is presented below. This chronology is drawn originally from Carol Silva's (1995) study. While her particular focus is on land transfers that concern what is now Ha‘ena State Park, her work paints an effective picture of the changes that took place in this ahupua‘a from the late 18th century to the present. The chronology below is modified from her text to include other relevant incidents both in Ha‘ena and in the Hawaiian Islands as a whole.

1855

Abner Paki died on June 13, leaving his wife Konia, daughter Bernice Pauahi Bishop and an adopted daughter, Lydia Kamaka'eha.

1857

Konia died, leaving a large landed estate to Bernice Pauahi Bishop

1858

Bernice Pauahi Bishop sold Ha'ena to W.H. Pease, a surveyor

1871

William H. Pease died on June 29.

1880-1

Mahuiki and Company of 30 natives are listed as "taro planters" at Ha‘ena. The company was said to have owned 900 acres of which 40 were in active cultivation.

1893-8

Hawaiian Monarchy forcibly overthrown by a handful of non-Hawaiian businessmen. Efforts by the deposed Queen, Lili‘uokalani, to restore Hawaiian sovereignty were unsuccessful. U.S. President Cleveland chose not to annex the islands. The provisional government declared the independent Republic of Hawaii. After the Spanish-American War and the acquisition of the Philippines, President McKinley chose to annex the Hawaiian Islands, which became the U.S. Territory of Hawaii.

1900

First U.S. Federal Census recorded at least 7 households in Ha‘ena.

1910

The second U.S. Federal Census recorded at least 15 households in Ha‘ena.

The Robinson's (Alice Robinson, Miss Eleanor Robinson and Selwyn A. Robinson) acquired 8.9458 shares of the Ha‘ena Hui lands.

1900-1960

Though there are no known printed records of agricultural production in Ha‘ena during this period, there is no doubt that these industries flourished. During this period, also, cattle grazing was a prominent activity in Ha‘ena.

1946

On April 1, a tsunami destroyed Ha‘ena village, described as "a small year round population of Hawaiians, numbering about 60..." Nine dead and one missing.

1955

Hui Ku‘ai ‘Aina members John Gregg Allerton and Paul G. Rice filed a petition for partition and dissolution of the Hui. Three commissioners were assigned to propose a plan to give clear title through land courts to all holdings. The commissioners were also to equitably assign water rights and easement privileges.

1957

Another tsunami strikes Ha‘ena.

1959

Statehood: Hawai‘i's status changes from Territoy to Fiftieth State.

1967 April 11

Three commissioners submitted their reports proposing among many other things, that four parcels be transferred to Kaua‘i County (Maniniholo, Waiakanaloa and Waiakapalae caves and Lohi‘au's house site). The County was tasked with the maintenance and preservation of the sites for the general public. Disregard of these responsibilities meant automatic transfer of the sites to the Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden.

Title to another parcel was given to John Gregg Allerton with the condition that he maintain and preserve a five-foot wide path for public use in accessing the heiau and hula grounds. Upon his death or conveyance of properties, title would automatically pass to the County. The State expressed the desire to acquire 40 acres of prime beach frontage for a public park; the land in question was held by the Robinsons who had already donated funds as well as land for road widening.

1967 June 23

Four unawarded lots were auctioned to raise funds to cover legal costs of partition. The auction was limited to existing share-holders and $35,801 was netted.

Late 1960s -
early 1970s

Howard Taylor (brother of actress Elizabeth) acquired a large parcel of land within the park site. Taylor Camp, "a small community of shacks, lean-tos and plastic covered frame houses" was soon established by a transient "hippie" population. No sanitary facilities nor garbage disposal provisions over a period of time caused the State to eventually condemn the property which was then added to park acreage. Local residents claimed that the sanitation problems caused by the camp resulted in the disappearance of mullet and other fish that formerly had been plentiful in these waters.

In the following sections, some of the more important changes and noteworthy historical memories to affect Ha‘ena are explored in detail. First of these are notes from various visits to the area by outsiders.