Ki'ilae Village offers a glimpse into the past, when Hawaii was changing rapidly but still supported traditional aspects of daily life.  With the arrival of Europeans in the Hawaiian Islands, many things changed.  New plants and animals were introduced and settlements began moving away from the coastal villages to the more fertile uplands and larger harbor cities.  What remains in Kiilae today are abandoned heiau (temples), agricultural features and holua slides where the chiefs once rode narrow sleds at great speeds down steep slopes.  Animal pens, salt vats and church foundations can be seen from more recent times. 

The 1871 trail runs for one mile from behind the visitor center to Ki'ilae Village.  If you plan to hike on the 1871 trail to Ki'ilae Village, please stop by the visitor center to pick up an informative trial guide.