The Rock of Silehu

Silehu Rock, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)

Southern Kitti’s most obvious natural feature is the Rock of Silehu — a spire of basalt rock that stabs out from the hills above Nintok. Because of its phallic shape, some have jokingly referred to the rock as the “giant’s penis,” but there is little to suggest that the idea has any basis in Pohnpei’s traditional myths, and it is more likely a transplant inspired by Kosrae’s well-known “Sleeping Lady.”

The local area has garnered some fame through its association with Luelen Bernart, the first Pohnpeian to ever pen a history of the island and probably the first Micronesian to write a book of any kind. It was a revolutionary endeavor. Pohnpei had a long tradition of story-telling and transmission of traditional knowledge through oral means, but writing things down was wholly new. Furthermore, it was believed on Pohnpei — and still is today — that a person should not share all that he knows on any subject. Bernart, born in Wene, Kitti, but educated in the same Protestant mission school as Henry Nanpei (they were close friends and his wife and Nanpei’s wife were sisters), was possibly inspired by the Western ideas he absorbed there and his exposure to the Bible, whose style and structure is similar to his writings. Bernart came from the noble class. Over his life, he acquired the title Dauk — the third-highest title on the Nahnken (talking chief) line — and became well-respected in the ceremonial arena as an orator and story-teller. This experience, combined with the skills he acquired in school, gave Bernart what he needed to tackle such a singular task. In the 1930s he began composing what would become The Book of Luelen — a sprawling collection of myths and legends, songs, chants, magical spells, plant-lore, and modern history. Though Bernart died before he could edit the work, his daughter and her husband labored to complete the manuscript, which was eventually translated and published in the 1970s. Bernart was buried in Rehntu.

The Story of Lihser

As far as oral history is concerned, Silehu is connected to a story that began in the Awak Valley of U. A spirit called Lihser dug up the ground and buried two boys in the earth at Awak. Scooping up the lumps of earth in which the boys were buried, he threw them to Silehu. The body of one boy, named Kier, formed the Peisarap hills where it fell. The spirit then built an altar called Pein Maram (“altar of the moon”) to honor the spot where the other fell. Later, the spirit met a hermit crab with a human skull for a shell. Upon searching the area, Lihser found the bones of a man. He took the bones and the crab and buried the skull-shell at a place he named Nintok. The rest of the bones were buried at another location called Antak.

Interestingly, one ethnographer reported that people from Nintok are prone to a “peculiar form of craziness” and erratic behavior that intensifies on full moons.

If you have a tough, high-clearance vehicle, you can begin your hike at the Esiel house at the end of an unpaved road that leads north from the Circle Island Road. Otherwise, it’s best to park down by the CIR and walk up, as the upper portion of the road is rough and has a grade of at least 19%. This segment is moderately difficult on foot, but treacherous by car. The hike from the house is short but steep (about 30% slope average), following a narrow footpath that the family uses regularly. The final part of the ascent is very steep and scrubby. No technical climbing is involved to reach the tiny, exposed summit, but there are some sections that might be uncomfortable for people afraid of heights. From the top, unobstructed views extend in all directions. Prominent sights include Dolotomw, Mwudok Harbor, Mwudok Island, and Nipai Rock.

  • Plan for 2 hours for this hike. For guides, ask for Wainer, Raynard, or Treveyne and offer $10.00, or call +691.320.5059 ahead of time to make arrangements.

Map Guides >> Southern Madolenihmw >> Silehu Rock

Kepirohi Waterfall

Kepirohi Waterfall, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)

Kepirohi, which lies on the lower Mand Stream (Pilen Mand) in Kepirohi Kousapw, is certainly Pohnpei’s most famous and most photographed waterfall and makes a nice picnic stop after a visit to the ruins of Nan Madol just a few minutes away. Here a large volume of water (the most of any waterfall on Pohnpei) cascades over a wide, sloped pyramid of basalt rock and fills a shallow pool before running down toward the coast, giving the spot a singular look. A well-maintained — and in places rock-paved — path begins near Adalina Johnny’s residence and skirts the right side of the river to the falls. It’s an easy, level walk. Unfortunately, the landowners decided a few years back to construct an unsightly concrete viewing platform just to one side of the falls, detracting considerably from the aesthetic and natural appeal of the location.

There’s an old, weather-worn sign out on the Circle Island Road that marks the turn-off and limited parking on either side of the landowner’s driveway.

Visitors can pay the admission fee ($3 per adult and $1.50 per child) at Johnny’s house on the right or at the small store near the trailhead. No guide is needed for this hike.

  • Plan for 1 hour for this hike.
As is true of many of the streams in this part of Madolenihmw, the water at Kepirohi is highly polluted by animal waste; visitors are advised not to swim.

 

Map Guides >> Southern Madolenihmw >> Kepirohi Waterfall

Wou Kutoahr

Hiking / TrekkingBird-WatchingCamping

A view of the ocean from Wou Kutoahr, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)

Today, the name Wou Kutoahr is used to refer to a large area of upland fern meadows, palm forests, giant tree fern stands, and denser hardwood forests, though it actually means “kingfisher valley” and originally referenced a specific feature nearby. There’s a little bit of everything here for hikers and birders. Most of the birding is to be had in the forests below the Nan Peienlam meadow. All of the common species can be seen, as well as rarer birds like the Micronesian pigeon, ground dove, crimson-crowned fruit dove, and long-billed white-eye. There are also some interesting species of plants to be found in the same spots, including native mace (Myristica fragrans), which produces walnut-sized seeds covered by a rubbery bright-red skin. These trees were introduced from Sulawesi by the Japanese in the 1920s. Pohnpei’s endemic palm, called kotop, is common around the fringes of the meadows and on some of the nearby slopes.

Fiddlehead at Wou Kutoahr, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)

You can begin your hike wherever necessary along the unpaved road leading up from the FSM-Chinese Pilot Farm near the Circle Island Road, though most vehicles will need to park further down due to the extremely poor condition of the track. Wherever you start, follow the road up until it narrows to a footpath. This path climbs gradually with an 9-10% slope and to the first savannah. If you walk out among the ferns to the south, you can get some decent views on a clear day. The path continues to climb at the same rate from there, passing into a section of forest dominated by giant tree ferns and beautiful hardwoods. This the key place for birders. In the middle of the forest segment, the trail levels off to about a 4% slope, eventually leaves the forest, and arrives at the second set of fern meadows. A knoll to the south offers excellent views of the lower forests and ocean. Other trails continue 0.74 km from Nan Peienlam to Dolekole (363 m) and 0.67 km to the Mese Stream (Pilen Mese) from the middle of the forested section.

Camping

Suggested camp site at Wou Kutoahr, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)

The kotop (Clinostigma ponapensis) stand on the edge of the upper meadow is a wonderful place to camp with amazing scenery all around and some protection from wind. The nearest fresh water is at Pilen Mese (purify or filter it) about 1.2 km north. Leave the area exactly as you found it and pack out everything you brought in.

No fees are charged for this hike. You can do this hike without a guide.

  • Plan for 4 hours round-trip for this hike.

Map Guides >> Southern Madolenihmw >> Wou Kutoahr

Dolopwuropwur Gun Battery

Hiking / TrekkingCave, Tunnel or BunkerWorld War II FortificationsBird-WatchingPicnicking

The most extensive Japanese gun battery on Pohnpei lies on Temwen’s rounded central hill, Nindol, perched at its 60 meter peak, Dolopwuropwur.

Dolopwuropwur gun battery, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)

Gun Stations

The four guns at the summit are identical to the one on Sokehs Mountain — British-made 15 cm Armstrong Whitworth naval canons manufactured in 1905. The guns are arranged in pairs with a concrete ammunition magazine between each set of stations. The semi-circular emplacements are constructed of concrete and local stone. There are also stone retaining walls along the corridors that lead to the stations. Steel girders running over Stations 1 and 4 are evidence that these two guns, at the very least, were covered to make them difficult to identify from the air. All of the stations are in relatively good condition, though the embankment around Station 3 has slipped down and partially buried the walls. Guns 1 and 4 point north and southeast, respectively, while Guns 2 and 3 point northeast. In combination, they would have had firing coverage of around 250 degrees. At the time of operation the hill was probably relatively clear of trees, providing an unobstructed view of the area islands and the two possible points of entry into the lagoon at Kepidauen Deleur and Kepidauen Nahkapw.

Remains of a searchlight tower at Dolopwuropwur, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)

Stone Tower

West of Station 4 is a stone tower (possibly a look-out for targeting or even a searchlight emplacement). Presumably, the tower was crowned with a platform of wood or metal, but that is no longer present. Now a flight of twenty-odd steps lead to the edge of a gaping hole as deep as the tower is high. We didn’t find a searchlight, but it may lie hidden somewhere in the surrounding area.

Trench Network

A narrow 0.27 km-long (0.17 mi) trench begins at the tower base and meanders down the hill with short deviations going to a dug-out under the tower itself and a magazine-like structure built into the hillside and currently occupied by a colony of small insectivorous bats. The latter is almost large enough to park a jeep inside, but there’s no evidence of a road leading to it. It was probably additional storage for munitions. It’s possible to climb down into the trench and follow it until it connects with one of the well-trodden footpaths in the Temwen interior.

The 0.3 km (0.19 mi) trail to the battery begins not far from the end of a muddy residential road opposite Temwen Elementary School and can be easily followed without a guide.

The family at the last house on the road charges $3.00 per person to visit Dolopwuropwur.

  • Plan for 1-2 hours to fully explore the area and 1 hour (each way) for the drive.

Map Guides >> Temwen Vicinity >> Dolopwuropwur Gun Battery

Nan Madol Ruins


Nan Madol Ruins

Hiking / TrekkingArchaeological Site / RuinBird-WatchingSwimmingSnorkelingSCUBA divingKayaking / CanoeingSurfingPicnicking

Nan Madol
is a prehistoric “city” of more than ninety man-made islets off the coast of Temwen Island, constructed of naturally-occurring prismatic basalt columns, basalt boulders, and coral fill. Many of the islets have large, complicated structures on them composed of the same types of rock — stones as heavy as 90 tons. Together, the islets formed a powerful administrative and religious complex from which the island of Pohnpei was ruled for several hundred years by a line of tyrannical monarchs called Saudeleurs. The lower city, Madol Pah, was the administrative center, while the upper city, Madol Powe, was the ceremonial heart of the complex.

Megalithic sites like Nan Madol are rare around the world and even rarer in the Pacific. Anyone who has seen the city would place it alongside other more famous megalithic feats such as the pyramids of Egypt and Central America, Stonehenge, Machu Picchu, and Rapa Nui’s moai. And yet, Nan Madol is little-known outside the archaeological community and visited by a surprisingly small number of people each year. Nan Madol was inscribed onto the UNESCO World Heritage List in July 2016.

Archaeological Work at Nan Madol

Archaeological investigation of the ruins began during the German Period in the late 1800s. German anthropologist Paul Hambruch created the first map of Nan Madol in 1910, which is often still used today. During the Japanese Period (1914-1945), three different archaeologists — Hasebe, Yawata, and Muranushi — conducted surveys and excavations. Sporadic field research has been on-going ever since with Japanese and American archaeologists (Saxe, Allenson, Loughridge, Ayres, Haun, Bath, Athens, Mauricio, Kataoka, and Nagaoka) doing the bulk of the work. Masao Hadley, Rufino Mauricio, and Pensile Lawrence were instrumental in piecing together the oral history relating to the site. Little of the archaeological findings, however, have made their way to the general public, and there is a great deal of unpublished material that has never been released in any form — to the great detriment of the historical preservation effort.

About 30 of the islets have been meticulously surveyed and mapped to date. Even so, there remains much to be learned about the ruins. Those reluctant to accept the mythical explanation of the city’s origin have theorized wildly about how such an engineering feat could be achieved. The basalt columns at Nan Douwas are as heavy as 5 tons and are stacked log cabin-style to form walls has high as 7.5 meters (25 ft), while boulders weighing as much as 90 tons are piled to heights of 8 meters (26 ft) at Pahnwi. Though it is plausible that stones might have been hoisted into place with the help of ropes, levers, earth ramps, and mass man-power, the real question that has bothered everyone (except Pohnpeians) is how the stones got to Temwen Island at all. Most of the quarry sites are nowhere near Nan Madol; in some cases they are on the other side of Pohnpei. How did the builders transport the columns over such distances? The foremost theory proposes that the stones were floated on rafts through the lagoon, but as the process has not been successfully demonstrated, the mechanics of Nan Madol’s construction will likely puzzle scholars and amateurs alike for years to come.

Kahnimweiso — the Sunken City

The eerie blue deeps between Madol Powe (the upper city) and Nahkapw Island are known as Pahn Nahkapw — “below Nahkapw” — and are believed by some to be the resting place of an ancient city called Kahnimweiso. In the late 1970s, archaeologist Arthur Saxe was told of the city Olsihpa and Olsohpa saw from a mountaintop prior to building Nan Madol and was intrigued. If Kahnimweiso had existed at all, Saxe wanted to know how it could possibly end up on the bottom of a reef passage.

Saxe noted that some aspects of Pahn Nakapw were unusual. At first glance it appears to be a pass, and yet it has no outlet; in the north, the deep water terminates just beyond Na Island. Saxe postulated that Pahn Nahkapw could be a “blue hole” — a collapsed section of fringing reef — rather than a true channel. According to his theory, freshwater run-off from Temwen seeped down beneath the reef and dissolved sections of it over a long period of time, forming passages and caverns. The weight of the basalt used to build Kahnimweiso eventually caused a cataclysmic collapse of the reef shelf and sent the city to the depths.

Diving due east of Kerian, Saxe discovered a line of “pillars” on the seafloor, which he thought might be part of the fabled gate to Kahnimweiso. Disappointingly, the pillars were later proven to be natural coral formations rather than basalt columns. No serious underwater exploration has been done since, and yet the mystery continues to fascinate. A Japanese archaeologist took bathyspheric measurements at Pahn Nahkapw in 2012 and determined that the deepest area is about 65 meters (213 ft). Do the remains of a city really lie under the water? Additional research is needed to answer the question definitively.

A History of Nan Madol

Pohnpei during the time of the Saudeleurs / Olsihpa's Building Locations

The story of Nan Madol began around 900 A.D. with the arrival of two mysterious brothers named Olsihpa and Olsohpa. Oral history states that this pair came from Katau Peidi, an unknown island in the West (who some claim is Yap). Whether they were sorcerers or holy men is a matter of debate, but there was something extraordinary about these men. Until that time, Pohnpei had never had a unified political structure, but that was exactly what Olsihpa and Olsohpa wished to create. They landed first at Soupaip (an ancient name for Sokehs Island), built some stone structures in Ipwal, and then departed because the local inhabitants seemed hostile to outsiders. Next they stopped at a point on the coast of Tipwendongalap (in what is now Nett), but the currents and waves there were too strong for building. The third stop was on the northern coast of Takaieu Island in Wenik Peidak (now U) and the fourth at Likin en Mwahn near present-day Alohkapw, Madolenihmw. But neither of these locations was acceptable. Climbing a nearby mountain (Pohn Tehnmei), the brothers looked down for the first time on the panorama of Sounahleng — the “reef of heaven” — in the area around Temwen Island. They saw something there, but it’s not clear what; either a vision of what was to come or the actual ruins of a city originating even further back in Pohnpei’s ancient past (some of the less elaborate stone structures at Nan Madol may have been built as early as 500 A.D.). Whatever the case, Sounahleng was perfect.

Using their supernatural abilities, the brothers flew huge boulders and prismatic basalt columns from all over Pohnpei and assembled them into a 1 km2 (200-acre) capital city with more than ninety artificial islets connected by shallow canals. They named the region Deleur and the city Nan Madol after the spaces between the islets. After Olsihpa’s death, Olsohpa declared himself Saudeleur, “Lord of Deleur”, supreme ruler of all Pohnpei. He was the first ruler in a dynasty that lasted perhaps as long as 500 years.

Under the Saudeleurs, Pohnpei was divided into three parts. Malenkopwale consisted of what is now Madolenihmw and U, Pwapwalik was made up of the areas now called Sokehs and Nett, while Kohpwaleng roughly coincides with modern Kitti. Olsohpa and the Saudeleurs that followed him were completely supported by forced tribute from the Pohnpeian people with tribute events following the harvest seasons of important island staples, such as breadfruit and yams. The Saudeleurs brought the people under their control by giving titles to the leaders of the various semi-autonomous regions around Pohnpei. Each title came with specific obligations toward Nan Madol. The Saudeleurs also attempted to impose their religion — centered around the worship of the god Nahnisohnsapw — on the populace. Every year, a special ceremony of atonement was held at Idehd islet, where a turtle was sacrificed to a sacred eel. If the eel accepted the offering, Nahnisohnsapw was pleased with the people.

As time progressed, the Lords of Deleur became more and more tyrannical. One of them required tribute for every single thing a person possessed, including the lice on his or her body. Another Saudeleur had a hankering for human flesh and made sure the fattest Pohnpeians ended up as his dinner. A fearsome dog, Ounmatakai, kept an eye on the people and reported anyone who broke laws or failed to fulfill his or her duties. Violators were brutally punished at the Saudeleur‘s residence, Pahn Kadira, and sometimes executed afterward at an islet across the canal that came to be known by the ominous moniker Wasao — “that place.”

Unrest began to spread. The boldest regions of the island, including Palikir and Kepihleng (areas in what are now Sokehs and Kitti), began to defy the authority of Nan Madol. When the Saudeleur tried to bolster the influence of the Nahnisohnsapw religion, the region of Salapwuk (which had its own religious cult devoted to Nahnsapwe — the thunder god), rebelled. This event was the beginning of the end for the Saudeleurs. Threatened by Salapwuk‘s defiance and competing religion, the Saudeleur imprisoned their god, Nahnsapwe, at Pahn Kadira. Nahnsapwe, however, escaped and fled to an island in the East, which some say was Kosrae. There he impregnated a mortal woman, who bore a son named Isokelekel.

As Isokelekel grew up, he learned the story of the Saudeleur and vowed to avenge his father. When he became a man, he trained 333 warriors and set sail for Pohnpei. He landed first at And Atoll, 15 km southwest of Pohnpei, and dwelt there for some time, learning about the island from the atoll’s residents and acquiring a wife. He then took his canoes, passed through Kehpara Pass (Dauen Kehpara), and sailed clockwise around the island toward Nan Madol. The Saudeleur was initially suspicious of the newcomers, but as they showed no obvious signs of aggression, he invited them to stay at the islet of Kelepwel. They lived there for some time, marrying Pohnpeian women and fathering children. Eventually, however, some small disagreement blossomed into open war. After several days of bitter fighting, the Saudeleur‘s men gained the upper hand and it seemed as though Isokelekel would be defeated. At that moment, one of his fiercest warriors, Nahnesen, rallied the fighters, spearing his own foot to the ground to show that retreat was not an option. The tide turned, and Isokelekel’s men chased the Saudeleur‘s army all the way to Sapwalap. The final battle was fought at a waterfall called Kamau Pwoungapwoung. There the last Saudeleur was utterly defeated and transformed into a small blue fish that resides in that pool to this day.

After the battle, Isokelekel was given the title Nahnmwarki and became the first paramount chief. His domain — the eastern part of Pohnpei — was renamed Madolenihmw, which means “separation between the houses.” Isokelekel and his descendants continued to live at Nan Madol until the early 1800s when the city was finally abandoned and left to the wind, the water, and the trees. No one is certain why the Nahnmwarki deserted Nan Madol, but a likely possibility was that living on the artificial coral islets, where little could be grown or produced, just wasn’t practical any longer. While fear had motivated the Pohnpeian people to provide the Saudeleurs with everything they needed to live at Nan Madol, their relationship with the paramount chiefs was different and the Nahnmwarki had to be more self-reliant. Others have postulated that an epidemic, a natural disaster, or the arrival of Westerners led to the abandonment of Nan Madol.


Other Notable Sites

Dau

Dau (däū) is the last site that the Nan Madol trail crosses before coming to Nan Douwas. Archaeologists date the construction of this 5,100 sq. meter islet to between 1000 and 1250 A.D. Some of the soldiers, who guarded Nan Douwas, slept on Dau and sharpened their weapons (shell axes and spears) there. A sacred eel was also kept in a hole on the islet. Many coconut palms grow on Dau today, but unlike some of the other islets, Dau remains fairly free of underbrush and is easy to explore. There are six house foundations, a sakau stone, and canoe landing.

Kelepwel

Kelepwel (kĕl.ĕ.pwĕl), which means “walled soil,” lies across the canal from Pahn Kadira. The islet often served as the living quarters for the servants and guests of the Saudeleur. When the conqueror Isokelekel and his men arrived at Nan Madol, they were housed on Kelepwel while the Saudeleur tried to decide whether they were a threat to him. Artifacts dating to 1800s indicate that Westerners also resided on Kelepwel for a time. It is said that a traditional rock-throwing game was played on the islet. Kelepwel is currently heavily overgrown and cannot be easily explored.

Kepinehd

Kepinehd (kĕp.in.ĕht) is a relatively small islet on the southeast perimeter of the ruins. Oral history recounts how two women lived on Kepinehd and produced sails there, before they were finally banished and went to live with a community of ostracized women called liet. Kepinehd has three house foundations and two stone enclosures.

Kohnderek

Kohnderek (kōhn.tĕr.ĕk) is one of the northernmost islets of Madol Powe and dates to roughly 1400 A.D. When an important person died, the body of the deceased was perfumed on the 3300 sq. meter islet and prepared to be transported from islet to islet. A ceremonial dance called the “Dance of Death” was also performed and sakau was prepared to lighten the hearts of the friends and family of the deceased. Kohnderek is now thickly covered in trees and vegetation and the northeastern area is partially submerged. There are six house foundations on the islet.

Mweiden Nahnsapwe

Mweiden Nahnsapwe (mweit.ĕn nähn.säp.wĕ) is a small opening on the southeast perimeter between Kepinehd and Pikalap islets. The name means “passage of thunder.” After Nahnsapwe, the thunder god, escaped from his imprisonment by the last Saudeleur, he rested briefly at this place before making his way to Kosrae on the back of a magical needlefish.

Mweiden Weliwel

Mweiden Weliwel (mweit.ĕn wĕl.ee.wĕl) is an opening on the southeast perimeter between Pahnwi and Kepinehd islets. The name means “passage of the yellowfin tuna” and this was said to be the place where schools of tuna entered the city.

Nan Mwoluhsei

Nan Mwoluhsei (nän mwō.looh.sei) is a series of seawalls that protect the eastern side of Nan Douwas. The outer wall has only one entrance through which canoes could pass. The deep area to the east of the entrance was said to be the gate to a fabled city called Kahnimweiso that lies on the floor of Pahn Nakapw. Two sharks named Oun Mwoluhsei and Lioun Mwoluhsei allegedly guarded the area. Men threw pebbles into the sea to distract the sharks and demonstrated their courage by leaping from the wall into the water. If they survived the stunt, they were afforded great respect.

Pahn Douwas

Pahn Douwas (pähn tō.wäs), meaning “below the mouth (of the chief)”, is an islet immediately to the south of Nan Douwas, where guards and attendants slept. Pahn Douwas is currently quite barren, consisting primarily of rough coral fill that is extremely difficult to walk on. There are five house foundations here. The islet comes close to being submerged at high tide.

Pahn Mwasangapw

Pahn Mwasangapw (pähn mwä.säng.äp) is a burial vault on the eastern perimeter where low ranking priests were entombed. The site can be accessed from the ocean side.

Peikapw

Peikapw (pei.käp) is a large islet across the canal north of Pahn Kadira. Turtles, sacrificed on Idehd during an annual religious festival, were raised in the largest of four pools, called Namweias. This pool is also the place Isokelekel saw his reflection in is his old age, leading to his decision to commit suicide by self-castration. At a smaller pool, called Peirot, reflections on the surface of the water showed what was happening around Pohnpei and beyond, allowing the Saudeleurs to spy on their subjects. One story tells of two women who forgot to pay tribute to one of the gods and were transformed as punishment into two rocks found along the northeast wall of Peikapw.

Peikapw Sapwawas

Peikapw Sapwawas (pei.käp säp.wä.wäs) is a large islet south of Dau that was part of Nan Madol‘s communication system, along with Pwalahng and Usendau. At all three islets, triton trumpets and drums were sounded when announcements were made or news transmitted.

Pein Kitel

Pein Kitel (pein kee.chĕl) is a monumental burial complex (9,000 sq. meters) situated partly on the coast of Temwen and partly on the surrounding reef flats — the first structure encountered on the Nan Madol trail. Within the high perimeter walls are three smaller enclosures, each containing a burial vault. The vault near the southwestern corner is allegedly the tomb of Olsihpa and Olsohpa, Nan Madol‘s founders, and was excavated by German administrator Viktor Berg in 1907. Berg was said to have removed a collection of very large bones before dying mysteriously the following morning. The whereabouts of the bones are now unknown (if the story is true at all). The other two tombs held the remains of other Saudeleurs and the Nahnmwarki that followed them. Some local informants claim that the conquering hero Isokelekel was buried in the largest tomb.

Peinior

Peinior (pein.ee.yōr) is a small islet near the middle of Madol Powe, where women came to learn a sitting dance. There is little to see on Peinior now.

Peiniot

Peiniot (pein.ee.yōt) was originally intended as the place where food would be brought to be distributed to the people of the city. The location, however, was inconvenient — too far from the rest of the islets — and Pohn Douwas was used instead.

Pohn Douwas

Pohn Douwas (pōhn tō.wäs), located just north of Nan Douwas, was the one of the places where the guards and attendants of Nan Douwas slept. The name means “above the mouth (of the chief).” Food was also gathered on Pohn Douwas and jellyfish were baked in stone ovens. A well-maintained path runs along the length of the islet, which can be easily accessed from Nan Douwas.

Sapwutik

Sapwutik (sä.pwoo.chik) refers to a walled enclosure on the eastern perimeter, containing a tomb where priests were buried.

Usennamw

Usennamw (oos.ĕn.näm) was Nan Madol‘s primary kitchen — the place where food was gathered and prepared for the rulers.

Wasao

Wasao (wä.säū), which dates to about 600 A.D., was where people who displeased the Saudeleurs were executed after being tortured at Pahn Kadira. The small islet at the rear of Pahn Kadira developed such a dark reputation that people came to refer to it simply as wasao — “that place.” One of the Saudeleurs, a man called Raipwinloko, was a cannibal and was said to have disposed of human remains on Wasao after his grisly feasts. Archaeologists have found a great deal of pottery remnants on the island, indicating that Wasao was one of the older islets, occupied during the known period of pottery production.


ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Kalangan to Mickelson and Reagan at the Marine Environmental Research Institute of Pohnpei (MERIP) for the kayak rentals, use of apartments, information, and other assistance; Peterson Anson of Pohnpei Transportation & Infrastructure for helping to create the beautiful shaded relief on our maps; Danko Taborosi of Island Research & Education Initiative (IREI) for his considerable support and technical assistance; Elcid Joseph of Temwen Elementary School for helping to check Temwen area place names for accuracy; and Bermance Aldis at FSM Resources & Development for covering the cost of printing and shipping.

Map Guides >> Temwen Vicinity >> Nan Madol Ruins

Nankepinmerepw River Valley

Hiking / TrekkingWaterfallBird-WatchingCamping

Hikers in the Nankepinmerepw Valley, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)
This route passes through the gorgeous valley of Nankepinmerepw, following the upper tributaries of the Nan Riohk Stream (Pilen Nan Riohk) and eventually arriving north of Nahnalaud on an arm of the major mountain system. One guide stated that the valley’s name refers to the mworopw tree (Inocarpus fagifer), also known as the Polynesian chestnut — though the spelling is clearly different. Nankepin means “in the bottom of”; the mworopw leaf has a deep trough in the middle where the primary vein bisects the blade, mirroring the way the stream bisects the deep, narrow valley.

The hike begins at a rutted turn-off from the well-graded (but unpaved) road to Pahn Sile Waterfall, leads to a metal footbridge over the Senipehn River (Pillapen Senipehn) — the only bridge like it on the island — and connects with a path on the far side. From there, the trail meanders northwest not far from the Nan Riohk and more or less parallel to it.

The first kilometer or so cuts through cultivated lands. Then it begins to follow the water more closely as it passes into the wilder riverine forests. There are at least nine major stream crossings in this next segment, some of which may be difficult or impossible if there has been a lot of recent rain. Above the last major Nan Riohk tributary, where the name of the stream changes to Nankepinmerepw, hikers take to the stream bed itself, which is certainly the most challenging aspect of the route (13% slope average). The algae-slimed rocks are slick and dangerous and hikers may find that they have to go very slow and use both hands to avoid disastrous slips; it would be easy to snap an ankle or shatter a kneecap in this place. Despite the rough terrain, the scenery in the hidden valley, often fenced on both sides by high rocky walls, is terrific. At times, the trail passes along the tops of vertical prismatic basalt columns.

Above Nankepinmerepw Waterfall, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)
The first few points of interest are beautiful pools that will tempt any overheated hiker — and why resist? A bit further is a small waterfall near an outcropping of prismatic basalt. Informants in the area say that this location was one of many where prismatic basalt columns were quarried for use in the building of Nan Madol. Abandoned prisms can be found lying in the stream bed in several places — the largest just below the falls. How exactly the massive prisms were hauled down to the coast over such distances and through such rough terrain is anyone’s guess.

After a short, steep section (22% slope average), the valley terminates at a huge “horsetail” waterfall that the route crosses above (you can scramble down the eastern slope without too much difficulty for a better view from the side). The shallow pools above the falls are an excellent place for a look at Pohnpei’s native crayfish. This is the turn-around point for day-hikers.

Past the big waterfall, the stream narrows until it reaches a third waterfall — this one short and wide, falling over a straight lip (usually called a “block falls” or “sheet falls”) — and then diminishes to a trickle. Those who wish to go further, will climb to the west (29% slope average) and then south again to follow the ridgeline (18% slope average) toward Nahnalaud.

Map Guides >> (Central) Madolenihmw >> Nankepinmerepw

Madolenihmw Bay Area

BikingHiking / TrekkingCave, Tunnel or BunkerWorld War II FortificationsArchaeological Site / RuinBird-WatchingCampingSwimmingSnorkelingSCUBA divingKayaking / CanoeingSurfingPicnickingBeachesMarine Reserve

Dauen Sapwalap / Senipehn Mangrove Reserve

  • Visit the Paddling Around Madolenihmw page for a detailed description of this location and the adventures to be had in the area.
  • Entering the mangrove reserve requires a permit. Visit our MPA page for details.

Kamau Pwoungapwoung

Though we didn’t map the hike to this destination as part of the eco-adventure map series (for lack of time), it would, never the less, be an exciting adventure to consider. Kamau Pwoungapwoung refers to a freshwater pool and waterfall at the headwaters of the Dipwilap Stream (Pilen Dipwilap), one of the tributaries of the Senipehn River (Pillapen Senipehn). The place is significant as the location where the last battle between the Saudeleur‘s warriors and Isokelekel’s men was fought. Upon being defeated by Isokelekel, the Saudeleur transformed himself into a small blue fish, that inhabits the pool to this day, and leaped into the waterfall. The hike would be a long one from the area around Pahn Sile. The closest access point would probably be from the direction of Nihpit fern meadow (reached from eastern Kitti).

  • The absolute best choice for a guide is Relio Lengsi. Give him a call at +691.924.2580 and discuss the best route options and access points for this location. Offer $50.00 for a full-day hike.

Nanpahlap Peak

The 137 m (449 ft) hill to the east of Takaiuh looks as if its top has been lopped off — which fits in with the story about its creation (see Takaiuh below). Though steep in places and somewhat overgrown, the ascent isn’t too strenuous. At the summit are the tumbled ruins of a prehistoric stone structure and a breath-taking view. The whole area around the southern foot of the hill is criss-crossed with Japanese trenches and dotted with tunnels, including at least one very long one leading into the hill. The grid of paddies and irrigation canals where the Japanese successfully cultivated rice (despite Pohnpei’s challenging climate conditions) are found on both sides of the unpaved access road, though you can get closest to the bulk of these fields from another road to the west.

Everything is private land, but no official access fees are charged.

  • To hire a guide, ask at the houses in the area or contact Hanke Albert at +691.320.4047. Offer $25.00 for Nanpahlap or a half-day of exploration in the area.

Nanwap Marine Protected Area (MPA)

Nanwap Marine Protected Area is a 3.05 km2 (305 hectare) section of the barrier reef and adjacent lagoon areas on the north side of Kepidauen Deleur (passage). The sanctuary was founded by community members from Metipw and Lukop and their respective chiefs and gained legal status in 2010. It became the first of Pohnpei’s MPAs to have its own formal community-created management plan with the support of the Pohnpei MPA Executive Management Network and the state offices of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Fish and Wildlife, Office of Fisheries and Aquaculture, and Environmental Protection Agency. Nanwap is a “no-take zone,” which means no fishing or gathering of any kind is allowed within the boundaries. It is regarded as the “most biologically diverse and best preserved spawning and aggregation site” for many of Pohnpei’s core reef fish species. Snorkelers should seek out the protected blue holes on the west side of the reef, while SCUBA divers will want to do a drift dive on the southern wall of the reef during an in-coming tide.

  • Entering the MPA requires a permit. Visit our MPA page for details.

Pahn Dieinuh

Boys roll tires for a game, Madolenihmw, Pohnpei Island, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)

Peiai

Peiai is a small populated place near the turn-off for Pahn Sile waterfall. During the battle between the warriors of Isokelekel and the army of the last Saudeleur, Peiai was the place where the tide of battle turned dramatically (hence, the name references a situation where the runner-up in a race pulls ahead of the leader — loosely translated “the battle is reversed”). Isokelekel’s men were being beaten down by the forces of Nan Madol when one of the conqueror’s greatest fighting men pinned his own foot to the ground with his spear, refusing to retreat and declaring that he would kill any man who tried to run away from the fight. Isokelekel’s men rallied behind this show of bravery and pushed back the Saudeleur‘s warriors, chasing them up the Senipehn River and eventually to Kamau Pwoungapwoung, a waterfall at the headwaters of the Dipwilap Stream, where the Saudeleur was finally defeated.

Sapwalap

Sapwalap (“large land”) is an expansive region of mostly flat ground that makes up a sizable chunk of central Madolenihmw. The Japanese recognized Sapwalap‘s potential as a site of large-scale agriculture. During the thirty years leading up to World War II, sugarcane was cultivated and processed at a facility near Kitamw (the tower is still partly visible in the jungle off the road) and rice was grown in a patchwork of paddies fed by irrigation canals. Strangely, no one is growing rice these days, but the paddies are still there opposite the gleaming LDS Church. Other fields are found as far east as Lukop.

Takaiuh peak, Madolenihmw, Pohnpei Island, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)

Tahio

Tahio, on the south side of Nanpahlap, is another place where the Japanese were active. The access road was built by them and the coastal area is full of trenches, rifle pits, dugouts, and tunnels. Everything is overgrown, but anyone who pokes around will be rewarded with interesting finds. Bring a local resident along.

Takaiuh Peak

You can’t visit Madolenihmw without being arrested by the sight of Takaiuh, a 160 m (525 ft) peak shaped like a traffic cone that stands on the north side of the bay and seems to guard the entrance to the Sapwalap estuary. The mythical origin-story of the hill — which bears a striking resemblance to the Biblical tale of the tower of Babel — involves Mwohnmur and Sarapwau, two wily brothers who enter into many Pohnpeian legends (they also created the Sahwar Valley and the rock of Pohnpaip).

How Takaiuh Came to Be

Long ago, two boys named Mwohnmur and Sarapwau were born in Salapwuk (Kitti) to a woman named Lienlama. The boys were always involved in clever schemes and mischief and traveled far and wide doing great works. Once, the brothers took a piece of stone, and using it like a canoe, paddled to Pohndolen Imwinsapw near what is now Tahio in Madolenihmw. There, Mwohnmur and Sarapwau amused themselves by piling up rocks until they had formed a large hill. A local demi-god named Lapongo saw what they were doing and wasn’t pleased, so he threw a stone at their hill and destroyed it. He then challenged the brothers to a competition to see who could build a mountain the fastest. The three set to work, but it soon became apparent that the boys were winning. Their mountain was so tall it had reached the sky. Being a poor loser, Lapongo became enraged. He picked up a stone and threw it at the new mountain, which broke into six pieces. The base of the mountain that remained standing was named Takaiuh (“standing stone”).

This was not the end of the conflicts between the brothers and Lapongo, however. Lapongo mocked and ridiculed the boys whenever he could, and they did not like it. Now, the brothers liked to play at a place called Pahnlikes, below the spot where they had settled on Likes peak west of modern-day Sapwalap. There was a steep slope there that they would slide down for fun, sitting upon the leaf sheaths of the kotop palm (Clinostigma ponapensis). The boys knew that Lapongo had been watching them and was aware of their play place, so they decided to trick him. Lapongo was invited to slide down the slope with the boys, but they chose a spot where the slope ended at the waterside (possibly the southern tributary of Pilen Kitamw). All three began sliding down the hill. When Mwohnmur and Sarapwau reached the bottom, they leaped off their sheaths and dived to safety, but Lapongo went straight and fell into the water. He sank down into the depths, and the brothers threw rocks on top of him to keep him from resurfacing.

Takaiuh is actually an island separated from the coast by a strip of mangrove forest. It was once inhabited, but is no longer. Though the hill is climbable, the ascent is extremely dangerous, characterized by very steep slopes and cliffs prone to rockslides with little or nothing solid to hold on to. For this reason we strongly advise visitors to enjoy Takaiuh from below rather than trying for the summit. Hikers who insist on seeking the summit, do so at their own risk. Distant views of the peak are found along the Circle Island Road, but the best close-up view from land is from the old Japanese road in Kepine. According to residents living in the area, the Japanese abandoned an attempt to build a trail all the way to the top of the hill. Some of the low wall can still be seen on the lower slope.

Map Guides >> Central Madolenihmw >> Madolenihmw Bay Area

Dolen Merewi

BikingHiking / TrekkingWorld War II FortificationsBird-WatchingCamping

A gigantic banyan tree on Dolen Merewi, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)

Dolen Merewi is a flat-topped hill that stands apart from the interior mountains to the west and is highly conspicuous when driving through northeastern Madolenihmw. During the Spanish Period (1886-1898), the hill played a pivotal role in an armed conflict centered around Ohwa. During the fighting, Nahnmwarki Pol, the Protestant leader of Madolenihmw, took refuge on the summit of Dolen Merewi where it was said he prayed in earnest for the Catholics to be defeated. Though the Spanish claimed a victory in the end, they lost a great many men and the better part of their dignity. They never got what they wanted and spent the rest of their administration barricaded inside their dreary colony, Santiago de la Ascencion, at what is now modern-day Kolonia.

An unpaved but well-graded road runs inland right to the base of Dolen Merewi, and almost anyone living in the area can assist visitors in finding a suitable guide on the spot. The ascent takes less than an hour and climbs steeply through upland sakau (Piper methysticum) plantations, karara (Myristica hypargyraea), sadak (Elaeocarpus carolinensis), and other large native hardwoods. At the top of the hill, the forest thins and the trail passes hastily-constructed Japanese foxholes, trenches, and rifle pits. The summit (240 m / 787 ft) is at the north end and has unobstructed views of Kupwuriso to the northwest, Timwen Men to the north, and the glistening bay in the east. Huge flying foxes roost in nearby trees and can be seen soaring low overhead. Birders will find Crimson-Crowned Fruit Doves and Micronesian Ground Doves in plenty. The summit is a nice camp site.

  • See the Birding page for more info about bird-watching on Pohnpei.

No access fee is charged.

  • Plan for 3 hours round-trip with a nice rest at the summit.
  • To hire a guide, ask at the houses in the area or contact Hanke Albert at +691.320.4047. Offer $12.00-15.00.

Map Guides >> Central Madolenihmw >> Dolen Merewi

Pahnsapw & Nankep Waterfalls

BikingHiking / TrekkingWaterfallSwimmingPicnicking

Lower Pahnsapw Falls, Pohnauleng, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)

Pahnsapw, which means “beneath the land,” refers to a pair of tall, majestic waterfalls which plummet off the edge of a high plateau in central Madolenihmw (it’s also the name of the farmstead). Both waterfalls are found on the land of the Silbanuz family (relatives of the people at the Nan Madol trailhead) — the smaller falls is lower down and hidden from view until you get up-stream, but the upper falls can be seen from the Circle Island Road.

The hike starts at the end of an unpaved road and criss-crosses the stream or runs along the bank up to the first falls, which is about 4 to 6 meters (13-20 ft) high and has a beautiful shallow pool at the base, excellent for a quick, cool swim. Unless you’re in good physical condition and don’t mind getting dirty, this is where you should stop.

Upper Pahnsapw Falls, Pohnauleng, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)

To reach the second falls, the route climbs straight up an extremely steep (and sometimes muddy) slope to the right of the lower waterfall with little to hold on to, turns horizontally across the slope face, and then returns to the river, where there’s a secluded pool in a shady nook. It might be a good idea to bring a length of rope and have the guide secure it to something at the top of the slope prior to scrambling up. Five minutes up-stream is the second waterfall, which is about 18 meters (60 ft) tall and falls into a large, deep pool. The water at both waterfalls is cool and very clean.

The Silbanuz family charges an access fee of $2.00 per person. Any of the teenagers around the house can be hired as guides. Offer $12.00.

  • Plan for 2 hours round-trip with some leisure time at both of the waterfall pools.

Nankep Waterfall

The next waterfall going south is known as Nankep. People living in the area say the name means “inlet” or “in the cup” (depending on who you talk to). The latter seems logical, except that the Pohnpeian word kep is a loaner from English and wouldn’t date back beyond the early 1800s. The site may have had a different name prior to that time or it has picked up new meaning over the years. The road to this trailhead is steeper and more rutted than the one to Pahnsapw, so it’s best to park at the bottom near the Circle Island Road and walk to the end, where the trail begins on Waltis Herdinand’s land — an area referred to as Elilpei. The hike is short and relatively easy, concluding in a hidden nook with a small plunge pool. The best time to visit Nankep is after a period of heavy rain as it can be nothing more than a tiny ribbon of water at other times. Some people believe that the falls will be dry if all the members of the visiting group are male, so mix it up.

No official access fee is charged.

  • Plan for 90 minutes round-trip with time to swim at the falls.
  • To hire a guide, ask at the houses in the area, contact Hanke Albert at +691.320.4047, or call the owner of the land around the falls, Waltis Herdinand, at +691.320.2909. Offer $12.00.

Map Guides >> Central Madolenihmw >> Pahnsapw & Nankep Waterfalls

Pohnpaip Petroglyphs

BikingHiking / TrekkingArchaeological Site / RuinBird-Watching

Anthropomorphic figure at Pohnpaip, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)

Just south of the newly renovated Sapwalap Elementary School lies one of Micronesia’s most unusual sites. More than 700 prehistoric motifs are inscribed on rocks in the area, the largest collection adorning a 60 by 25 meter naturally terraced basalt outcropping called Pohnpaip (“on the boulder”). Though the pictures are fading in the face of Pohnpei’s relentless rains, it’s still possible to discern human figures, feet, hands, fish hooks, a boat, the sun and moon, and many shapes that may be canoe paddles or loom pegs (often mistaken for daggers).

Different stories are told about the origin of this rock. In one, the outcropping was created when two mischievous brothers named Mwohnmur and Sarapwau — the same boys who created Takaiuh in the Kepine area and the Sahwar Gorge in Salapwuk — stole a blanket from Kitti decorated with strange symbols (some informants attribute this action to Olsihpa and Olsohpa instead of Mwohnmur and Sarapwau). The blanket was transformed into the rock with the symbols still intact. In another tale, Pohnpaip was the house of two men, Mahntik and Mahnlap, who passed into the rock through a magical door and traveled to a far land. Knocking with small stones at the location where the door to the house is purported to be produces a hollow sound as if there were, indeed, a cavity beneath the rock’s surface.

Enveloped cross on a boulder near Pohnpaip, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)

More petroglyphs are found on a collection of smaller boulders located in the grassy plain to the northeast. The large rock closest to Pohnpaip is called Takain Pahsu (“vagina rock”) and is said to be the genitalia of a mythical woman who broke into pieces. The woman’s buttocks are found on the other side of the road along with several other boulders with petroglyphic images. One is covered with enveloped equilateral crosses similar to those found in Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and the Solomon Islands, possibly indicating a link between the site and the Lapita culture active in the region about 2,000 years ago. To date, no one is sure who created the petroglyphs or when they were created. Rock art of this sort is uncommon in the Micronesian islands.

The road leading to the site was in very bad condition as of 2014. It’s best to park near the Circle Island Road and walk up. The Herson family, which owns the land around Pohnpaip, charges an access fee of $3.00 per person. You don’t need a guide, but more than likely someone at the house will show you up to the rock and other sites at no extra charge.

  • This excursion takes about 2 hours round-trip if you take your time and really examine all the images.

NOTE: There is an error on the printed Madolenihmw Eco-Adventure Guide maps for this location. “Vagina Rock” is labeled Takain Pahso (incorrect) instead of Takain Pahsu. We apologize for this mistake. Future versions of the print guide will reflect the correction.

Map Guides >> Central Madolenihmw >> Pohnpaip Petroglyphs

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