Many people have heard of Hanauma Bay, though few know the Hawaiian Legend of how the bay was named. Hanauma literally means "hand wrestling bay" - hana meaning bay, and uma, meaning hand wrestling.

Two very powerful Chiefs, Chief Koko and Chief Hana declared their love for Keohinani, the beautiful daughter of Keanamo'o, who is the guardian of Hanauma Bay. Keohinani loved both men and could not decide which to marry, and asked that they contest each other in a game of uma, which they were both champions. The contest began when the goddess Kahikinaokala (Sunrise) summoned the great spirits La (Sun) to referee and Napookala (Sunset) to umpire.

Lying on the ground face to face, the two Chieftains clasped their hands, locking their arms in a mighty hold as the day began. Keohinani and her father watched in awe as the two uma champions lay there all day straining and persevering to win this contest of love. As the day approached night, the spirit La (Sun) was nearing the chambers of Napookala (Sunset), and Keohinani realized that only she could stop the contest before both men were exhausted and might even follow Napookala into the darkness of night.

The contest was declared a tie, and with this, Keohinani walked quietly toward the upper hill on the right (as you face the ocean) now called "Fair Mountain", and asked that her Akua (spirit) transform her into the hill, so that both Chief Koko and Chief Hana could look upon her beauty and innocence eternally. Keohinani's father Keanamo'o was so pleased with his daughter's gentle humility and thoughtfulness for others that he transformed himself into the hills circling the bay, forever to guard the beautiful bay and be with his daughter.