Manoa Valley as the historic birth site of the very first coffee plantation in Hawaii. With the aid of agriculture expert, John Wilkinson, the coffee trees were able to survive which allowed its descendants to be brought over to Kona and other islands many years later. Hawaii is the only state in the United States that produces coffee commercially. For more history see coffee production in Hawaii. There are many legends associated with Manoa, one very well known legend is the story of Kahalaopuna. Kahalaopuna was born to Kahaukani and Kauakuahine. Kahaukani is the wind of Manoa and Kauakuahine is the rain of Manoa. Kakaukani and Kauakuahine were brother and sister, both born to Akaaka (the projecting spur of the Manoa mountain range) and Nalehuaakaaka (the lehua on the brow of the Manoa ridge). Education Hawaii Department of Education operates public schools in Manoa, which is also home to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. The private Saint Francis School was in Manoa until its 2019 closure. Gallery Points of interest Lyon Arboretum Mānoa Falls Manoa Falls Trail Manoa Heritage Center Salvation Army Waiʻoli Tea Room University of Hawaii at Mānoa References External links Manoa