Ana

Ana is a natural cave served as shelters mostly built of pōhaku or stones for the people on expeditions by the wao koa or koa forest. Koa forest is an area of land up in the mauka (mountains), which are consumed of koa trees. Koa is a nice hard wood that was used to make all kinds of things like wa‘a or canoes. Koa was also one of the most beautiful woods in Hawai‘i. Some pōhaku have mana in them and these rocks are found in sacred areas called hē‘iau. Mana is the hawaiian meaning for supernatural power and a hēiau is kapu or set of rules that they used. Hē‘iau are built for religious purposes.

This is an example of an Ana or cave as you can see that this made an excelent shelter.

This is a picture of a heiau in Hawaii Kai see how it is neatly constructed.

Kamehameha Schools Press. The Ahupua'a. Honolulu: Kamehameha School Press, 1994.

Atkins, Nu‘u. Personal Interview. 12 September 2005.