BY LORI ARIZUMI | POSTED ON July, 2008

Over 100 people came to Koko Head District Park Community Center on Saturday, June 21st, to view the launching of a new website, featuring the unique history and stories of the Maunalua Bay area - from Aina Haina to Waimanalo.

Created by Ann Marie Kirk, an East Honolulu resident and producer/director of educational programming, the website demonstration got resounding applause as the website was unveiled. The site went public on Sunday, June 22nd, and is found at maunalua.net

The site is a treasure of cultural and historical references to the aina, from ancient heiau, to teeming fishponds, to farms that once dominated the area. Especially poignant are video interviews with kupuna about their families, growing up always in the ocean, with humor and a sense of reverence for a time gone by.

A number of the kupuna were present at the event, and added comment after their videos were shown. The interviews were highlighted with old photos of the Kuapa and Kuliouou fishponds; Koko Head, devoid of vegetation or structures; and Kalanianaole a two-lane country road. The home page opens on an aerial view, overprinted with names, which, when clicked, open to other pages of historical and cultural information.

Kirk says the site is a "gift to the community," and that more material will be added as it is an ongoing project.

The launch was sponsored by Aloha Aina O Kamilonui, Livable Hawaii Kai Hui and the Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center.