Peahi, Hawaii

Peʻahi (/peɪˈɑːhiː/ pay-AH-hee; Hawaiian: [peˈʔɐhi]) is a place on the north shore of the island of Maui in the U.S. state of Hawaii. It has lent its name to a big wave surfing break, also known as Jaws.

The name Peʻahi originally applied to an ancient Hawaii land area (ahupuaʻa) at about 20°55′00″N 156°17′00″W / 20.91667°N 156.28333°W / 20.91667; -156.28333Coordinates: 20°55′00″N 156°17′00″W / 20.91667°N 156.28333°W / 20.91667; -156.28333. Like many ancient land areas, it extended from the northern slopes of Haleakalā to the sea-level Peʻahi gulch. It also lent its name to a reservoir formed by a dam across the Uaoa Stream. The name Peʻahi means "wave" in the Hawaiian language, in the sense of a fanning or beckoning motion of the hand.