Most visitors know Pearl Harbor as the site of the infamous 1941 attack that propelled the United States into World War II. It’s a solemn memorial to bravery and sacrifice. But long before battleships anchored in these waters, this area was known as Puʻuloa (“long hill”) or Wai Momi (“waters of pearl”). For Native Hawaiians, this harbor wasn’t a place of war, but a place of abundance, legends, and spiritual significance.
If you’re curious about this sacred space that holds mana (spiritual power) from centuries past, let’s explore the often-overlooked Hawaiian cultural traditions surrounding Pearl Harbor, including the legends of the shark goddess who protected these waters, the concept of Leina, and more!
Before the dredging and development that created the naval base we see today, Puʻuloa was an expansive estuary teeming with life. It was famous for its abundance of pipi (pearl oysters), which gave the harbor its English name.
For ancient Hawaiians, Puʻuloa was a food basket. The complex estuary system was home to numerous fishponds (loko iʻa). These were masterpieces of engineering and aquaculture, designed to trap fish while allowing fresh seawater to circulate. The area provided sustenance for the chiefs (aliʻi) and the common people (makaʻāinana) alike.
The connection to the land here was utilitarian but deeply spiritual. Hawaiians believe that the land isn’t a commodity to be owned, but an ancestor to be cared for. The health of the waters at Puʻuloa reflected the health of the community. Visitors looking out at the sea surrounding Pearl Harbor today should try to imagine the quiet fishponds and the ancient Hawaiians carefully tending to the waters that fed their families.
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Perhaps the most significant cultural tradition tied to Pearl Harbor is the story of Kaʻahupahau. She’s the queen shark goddess (aumakua) of Oʻahu, who made her home in a large underwater cave at the entrance of Puʻuloa.
Unlike the fearsome reputation sharks have in Western culture, aumakua are ancestral guardians. Kaʻahupahau and her brother, Kahiʻuka, were known as protectors of the people. Legends say she established a law that no shark should ever harm a human in her waters. She was known to drive away man-eating sharks that tried to enter the harbor, keeping the people safe as they fished and gathered pearls.
This tradition of protection is poignant when we consider the events of December 7, 1941. While the harbor became a scene of devastation, the ancient energy of the area is one of guardianship. Many locals believe that the spirit of Kaʻahupahau still watches over the waters, perhaps now guarding the sailors entombed within the USS Arizona and other ships lost during the attack.
Pearl Harbor intersects powerfully with Hawaiian concepts of death and memory. Over 2,400 Americans lost their lives during the attack, and many of the Hawaiian cultural traditions surrounding Pearl Harbor are dedicated to paying respect to them.
In Hawaiian culture, a wahi pana is a sacred, storied place that holds deep historical, spiritual, and cultural significance. Some examples of well-known wahi pana include the majestic Waipiʻo Valley on Hawaiʻi Island, the sacred Kukaniloko Birthstones on Oʻahu, and the historic peak of Lēʻahi (Diamond Head).
The USS Arizona Memorial straddles the wreckage of the battleship and serves as a tomb for over 900 men. In a cultural sense, this site has become a modern wahi pana. Much like the ancient heiau (temples), it’s a sacred space that pulses with the memory of the past. The reverence demanded here aligns with the Hawaiian protocol of entering a wahi pana: walking softly, speaking quietly, and showing deep respect for the spirits and stories that dwell there.
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You may see visitors or local practitioners offering lei (flower garlands) into the water or placing them near memorials at Pearl Harbor. In Hawaiian tradition, a lei is a symbol of love, respect, and connection. It’s a physical manifestation of aloha, the spirit of love and compassion that’s central to Hawaiian culture.
By offering a lei, visitors can honor the lives lost and offer a gesture of peace to the sacred grounds. Whether it’s a simple strand of greenery or a vibrant floral arrangement, each lei carries a message of remembrance and hope, bridging the past with the present in a meaningful tribute.
Those visiting Pearl Harbor should observe local protocol. The concept of kuleana (responsibility/privilege) is central here. We have the privilege of visiting this historic site, and with that comes the responsibility to treat it with care.
The Hawaiian concept of kapu refers to laws or prohibitions that govern sacred people and places. While the ancient kapu system is no longer law, the underlying value of respecting boundaries remains. At Pearl Harbor, this translates to following the rules set by the National Park Service—staying on marked paths, not touching artifacts, and maintaining a respectful volume.
Visitors to Pearl Harbor are answering the call of history. But from a Hawaiian perspective, they’re also engaging in moʻolelo (storytelling/history). Moʻolelo is how history is kept alive. By being physically present, learning the stories of the sailors and the ancient guardians of Puʻuloa, and sharing them when they return home, visitors can keep the memory of this place alive.
A visit to Pearl Harbor is a pilgrimage. It’s a journey to a site of catastrophe, heroism, and peace. By acknowledging the ancient name, Puʻuloa, and the Hawaiian cultural traditions surrounding Pearl Harbor that predate the naval base, you honor the full history of this place.
We invite you to book a tour with Pearlharbortour.org and experience this powerful convergence of culture and history. Let the spirit of aloha guide your visit, so the memories of those lost—and the land that holds them—are treated with the highest dignity.
Ready to experience the history and heritage of Puʻuloa? Check availability and book your Pearl Harbor USS Arizona tour tickets today to secure your place on this meaningful journey.