PU'UKOHOLA HEIAU NHS • KALOKO-HONOKOHAU NHP • PU'UHONUA O HONAUNAU NHP A Cultural History of Three Traditional Hawaiian Sites on the West Coast of Hawai'i Island

CHAPTER IX:
PU'UHONUA O HONAUNAU NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK (continued)

H. Contributing and Non-Contributing Elements

Generally, there is no historical significance attached to structures, roads, buildings, or other features built within the boundaries of this park since 1926. Exceptions are the reconstructed Hale-o-Keawe, the stabilization work on pre-existing structures, features developed for interpretive programs, and the "modern" housing sites at Ki'ilae Village, where transition periods as reflected by architectural patterns are an integral part of the site's significance. [262]

The Pu'uhonua o Honaunau area was recorded by the National Survey of Historic Sites and Buildings in 1962. That survey recorded 321 significant archeological and historical features within the boundaries of the historic district. Fifteen of them are listed separately on the National Register of Historic Places inventory form as being major archeological and historical structures and features. The following descriptions are given on the form:

Hale-o-Keawe — temple mausoleum for ruling chiefs of Kona; served as major temple for pu'uhonua in historic times; house and associated images restored in 1967;

Pa pu'uhonua (Great Wall) — marks boundary of refuge, over 1000 feet long, 12 feet high, and 18 feet wide; reconstructed in 1902 and 1963-64;

'Ale'ale'a Heiau — first of its type and class excavated in Hawai'i; excavated and stabilized in 1963; had six structural modifications;

Ancient Heiau ("Old Heiau") — although originally thought to be the oldest temple on site, there is now some evidence that 'Ale'ale'a was constructed earlier; little known about this structure; portions excavated by Stokes in 1919; [NPS conducted excavations here in 1979 and 1980];

Chief's House Site (Thompson House Site) — excavated in 1968; one of two sites identified as chief's residences; composed of several contiguous platforms for men and women's eating and sleeping houses, as well as cook house; occupied from prehistoric to modern times;

Keawe's House Site — several contiguous stone platforms with low wall around ruin; evidence of later use; fisherman's shrine (ku'ula) associated with it; coastal trail runs between site and ocean; associated with one of high chiefs of Kona;

Oma'o Heiau — probably Lono class; only temple making use of natural feature — lava squeeze at one end of platform probably used as 'anu'u (prayer) tower; constructed of lava chunks with rubble fill;

Keanae'e Heiau — also called Alahaka Temple; located in Keokea in center of village complex of surface dwellings and cave shelters; measures 60 by 90 feet and is about 8 feet high; classed as Lono-type agricultural temple;

Honaunau Holua — stabilized in 1968;

Keokea Holua — longest and best preserved of tracks; over 1000 feet long and from 5 to 12 feet wide;

Ki'ilae Holua — located in ruins of village; is small, 300 feet long and from 5 to 8 feet wide;

Alahaka Ramp — point in Keanae'e Cliff at which in prehistoric times ladder provided access to top of cliff; reportedly gatekeeper helped people and stone platform nearby is his house site; ca. 1848 a ramp built to accommodate horse travel, later modified ca. 1871; ramp and cave shelter behind it excavated and stabilized in 1963;

1871 Trail — sometimes called "King's Highway" — built ca. 1871 for horseback travel; portion in park reconstructed;

Ki'ilae Village — Thriving village in 1823 and abandoned by 1926; was village patterned after old traditions, using "modern" methods and techniques; some thatched houses with corrugated tin roofs and glass windows; several tested house sites; contains famous spring of Queen Emma's mother (not within existing park boundaries);

Keanae'e Shelters — numerous caves that Ellis noted being used as dwelling and work areas in Keanae'e pali. [263]

There exist numerous "lesser" features in the area, including canoe-mooring holes; basins used for dying fishnets or for evaporating salt; mortars used for pounding salt, seaweed, and the like; kapu-stick holes; papamu; and other resources that are excellent illustrations of early lifeways and that are crucial parts of a complete interpretive story.