<P> 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 . </P> <P> 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; - 156.28333 Coordinates: 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 . </P>

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