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Located on the eastern end of Oahu’s eastern coast is the town of Kaaawa. In the Hawaiian language, Kaaawa is written as K’a’a’awa. Often time’s foreigners think that the name may be misspelled because of the three vowels in a row. The reason for the three “a’s” is because each one of the “a” vowels is pronounced separately and distinctly. The three vowels are set apart by the two okina (the two hooks that look like apostrophes) in the middle, making it an actual letter in the Hawaiian language, meaning the vowels are emphasized while pronouncing the word. In Hawaiian, Ka’a’awa means “the yellow wrasse fish”. These yellow creatures are common reef fish in Hawaii.
Kaaawa’s shore is fronted by a broad fringing reef with a narrow beach that is perfect for long walks. That being said, Kaawa is located right on the ocean just north of Kaneohe Bay. Just north of Kaaawa Beach Park is Swanzy Beach Park. Various tourist activities are available in the Kaaawa Valley as it is part of the Kualoa Ranch. Such activities include ATV rides and horseback riding. Movie tours are also offered since many popular Hollywood movies have been filmed here in the valley, movies like Godzilla, 50 First Dates, Pearl Harbor, and Jurassic Park. Kaaawa is very convenient to get to since the Kamehameha Highway passes right through the town.
