The Hawaiaan
word "Ka'anapali" means divided cliff. And if you drive in the Kaanapali area and look to the West Maui mountains
that is exactly what you see. King Piilani was Hawaii's great road builder. He was the first to build roads into West Maui
as well as roads that circumnavigate the Island. Piilani Rd. in Kihei is named after him, as are the highways in
West Maui. There are six bays in the Ka'anapali area that were said to the King's favorite honos (Hawaiian for "bay").
Thus the bays or the Honos of Piilani. Our highway is known as "Honopiilani" and "Lower Honopiilani" highways.
King Piilanai's favorite honos or bays were were Honokowai, Honokeana, Honokahua, Honolua, Honokohau, and Hononana. Honokahua
is more popularly know as Kapalua today.
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