Waiākea-Uka
Waiākea-Uka (IPA:/'waj.ə.kei.ə.'u.kə/) is an ancient subdivision (ahupuaa) in the Hilo District of the Big Island of Hawaii, located mauka (mountain-side) of the Waiākea ahupua'a; its location is on the lower flanks of the volcano Mauna Loa. Because of this, one meaning of the name 'Waiākea-Uka' can be translated from 'Olelo Hawai'i as '(the) mountain-side (of) Waiākea'. Many ahupua'a have this -uka appellation, as the directions 'mountain-side' and 'sea-side' (makai) are the two best ways of orientating something in space on any of the islands. History Waiākea-Uka marks the most mauka portion of human settlement in the Hilo district. Waiākea-Uka has many expensive houses, including a Swiss-style chateau. The area is home to many traditional agricultural Hawaiian-style homes. As the area is mauka of Hilo Bay, there is no threat of tsunami; earthquakes are always a possibility anywhere on the island, and the area is currently termed lava zone 3. The most recent lava flows were in 1935, 1942 and 1984, with the 1984 coming quite close to the upper reaches of the area. Driving northwest on the Saddle Road, about 15 miles outside of the Hilo extension, one can see the vast lava fields of the 1881, 1935 and 1942