
Lanipō
vs. Dense, dark, lush, as of plants, rain; said of luxuriant growth
s. An expression of admiration at a garden or field where vegetables are thrifty and produce a shade over the ground
n. Approbation and praise mingled with joy
Pukui, Hawaiian Dictionary. 1986.
Inoa ʻĀina, Place Names
We are named after our beloved mountain, Puʻu ʻo Lanipō, which resides on the southeast side of the mokupuni ʻo Oʻahu, within the moku ʻo Koʻolaupoko and ahupuaʻa ʻo Waimānalo.
Puʻu ʻo Lanipō and Aniani Nui, its primary descending ridge, mark the boundary between the ahupuaʻa of Kailua and Waimānalo. Moving seaward, this ridge transforms into the three famous peaks of ʻOlomana, Pākuʻi, and Ahiki. Aniani Nui ridge finally ends in the foothills of Kaʻiwa and at Wailea point.
Traditional land divisions
Mokupuni — Island of Oʻahu
Moku — Koʻolaupoko, smaller land division outlined in blue
Ahupuaʻa — Waimānalo, land division highlighted in yellow
Our Mountain
Puʻu ʻo Lanipō, highlighted in red, sits at 2621 feet (799 meters) and captures much of the headwaters for the ahupuaʻa of Waimānalo. As the northeast trade winds cause clouds and rain to gather around Lanipō, rainwater collects along the surface to form the Waimānalo stream.
Rainwater also percolates downward through rock, feeding underground aquifers and bubbling up through springs. Waikupanaha, Kupunakāne, and Kupunahine are some of these famous springs of Waimānalo.



