Day 40: Kaunolu Village Site, Lanai, Hawaii
📌APIA Every Day (40) - Perched on Lanai's southern sea cliffs, overlooking Kaunolu Bay, Kaunolu Village stands as the largest surviving ruins of a prehistoric Hawaiian settlement dating back to the 1400s. Divided into Kaunolu and Kealiakapu, the site boasts 86 house platforms, 35 stone shelters, 9 graves, and over 30 detached pens. Despite its arid environment, the village served as a revered fishing spot with a sheltered landing for canoes. King Kamehameha I frequented the area for fishing, with his house platform situated across the gulch from Halulu Heiau, perched high on the cliff above the bay. Between 1778 and 1810, he conducted ceremonies at this heiau, likely a luakini war/sacrifice site. During the late 18th century, Maui high chief Kahekili, a rival of Kamehameha, also visited.
The site features Kahekili's Leap, an 80-foot precipice offering a perfect view of Lanai’s western sea cliffs. Historically, it served as a site for lele kawa (cliff jumping), showcasing bravery through daring dives. Petroglyphs throughout the village provide insights into ancient Hawaiian culture, depicting abstract symbols, human figures, and animals.
Designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1962 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966, Kaunolu Village's well-preserved structural remains date back to its residents until the 1880s. Offering a comprehensive view of various phases of Hawaiian life, from the residential complexes of ali'i (chief/chiefess) to the village's decline, it serves as a unique and well-preserved window into Hawaii's ancient history.
LEARN MORE:
National Park Service: Kaunolu VIllage Site
Lanai Magazine: Kaunolu Ancient Village
Internet Archive: Legacy of the Landscape: An Illustrated Guide to Hawaiian Archaeological Sites
#apiaeveryday #hawaiianhistory #pacificislander #pacificislanderhistory #kanakamaoli #kaunoluvillage #lanai #kingkamehameha #historicpreservation #fishing #culturalpreservation #aapi #aapihistory #nationalpark #nationalhistoricpark
