Kāneiolouma Complex
| Kāneiolouma Complex | |
|---|---|
| Native name Hawaiian: Ke Kahua O Kaneiolouma | |
 Four kiʻi representing Hawaiian deities at Kaneiolouma | |
| Location | 2000 Poipu Road Poipu, Hawaii, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 21°52′32″N 159°27′11″W / 21.87556°N 159.45306°W |
| Area | 13 acres (5.3 ha) |
| Built | mid-15th century |
| Restored | 1998 |
| Restored by | Hui Malama O Kāneiolouma |
| Owner | Kauaʻi County |
The Kāneiolouma Complex is an ancient Hawaiian village on the south shore of the island of Kauaʻi in Kauaʻi County in the U.S. state of Hawaiʻi. The 13-acre archaeological site (5.3 ha) includes taro patches, fishponds, heiau, shrines, and house sites, with a makahiki sporting arena in the middle.[1]
History[edit]
Kāneiolouma was considered a significant heiau when documented by Wendell Clark Bennett in 1931.[2] In his fieldwork, he relied the available literature, native Hawaiian elders, and, specifically for this site, Tales from the Temples: Hawaiian Annual for 1907 by T.G.Thrum.[3] During an archaeological survey in 1959, Henry Kekahuna[4] noted that the site has three components: ancient-temple religion, agriculture and aquaculture.[5] Kekahuna noted a seating distinction in the sporting arena between the general spectators and aliʻ(noble) who were provided with central, higher level seating.[1] Boxing, wrestling and spear throwing matches, among other games were held in this amphitheater during the ancient festival of Makahiki.[6] Twenty-three kiʻi sites within the village site were found. The sacred purpose of the arena was made clear by the eighteen kiʻi bordering the game field.[1] As the understanding of site evolved, the site is now considered a village that originally was about 26 acres (11 ha).[7]
The Kāneiolouma Ancient Hawaiian Village Restoration Project began to work on the overgrown and forgotten site in 1998. The project cleared vegetation and planted native plants: Niihau palms, kukui, ulu, kou, koa, wiliwili, hala tree and pokalakala. A fishpond was restored which attracted birds. The list of restoration suggestions were compiled by Kekahuna, a Native Hawaiian, archaeologist, surveyor, historian, and researcher, as he thoroughly documented the site.[1]
Hui Malama O Kāneiolouma, a nonprofit organization, was established in 2003 to conserve and refurbish the area. The group also sought to raise public awareness of the significance of the site as an example of the culture of the Native Hawaiians.[1] A relationship with the county began in 2010 with the stewardship being assumed by the organization of the site across the street from popular, county owned Poipu Beach Park.[8] A platform named Ke Apapalani O Manokalanipo was constructed in July 2013 with four 16-foot tall ki'i (4.9 m) facing the Cardinal directions.[9] These representatives of the Hawaiian deities honor the ancestors who were aware of the transiting across the sky of celestial bodies and the seasons indicated by the position of the sun.[10][1] The organization installed interpretive signs at the intersection of Poipu Road and Hoowiii Road in 2016.[7]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f Hitt, Christine (September 26, 2018). "In Poipu, Kauai, a Historic Hawaiian village is Coming Back to Life". Hawaii Magazine. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ Bennett, Wendell Clark (1931). Archaeology of Kauai. Special Publication 80. Honolulu: Bernice P. Bishop Museum. pp. 118–119.
- ^ Thrum, Thos. G. (1906). Hawaiian Almanac and Annual for 1907. pp. 67–68. hdl:10524/32457 – via University of Hawaii.
- ^ "Selections from the Henry Enoka Palenapa Kekahuna Manuscript Collection". Hawaiʻi State Archives. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ Fujimoto, Dennis (July 23, 2010). "Citizens gain stewardship of Po'ipu heiau". The Garden Island. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
- ^ Hitt, Christine (March 5, 2024). "Native Hawaiians battle Bay Area developer over Hawaii cultural site". SFGATE. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ a b Zickos, Coco (December 7, 2016). "Restoring Kaneiolouma". MidWeek Kaua'i. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
- ^ Adopt a Park Agreement for the Stewardship of Kane-I-Olo-Uma Heiau Complex Poipu Beach Mauka Preserve (Report). County of Kauaʻi. October 27, 2017.
- ^ Scrimgeour, Guthrie (August 25, 2022). "Kaneiolouma statues removed for maintenance". The Garden Island. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
- ^
This article incorporates public domain material from "Kiʻi – Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park". U.S. National Park Service. National Park Service. May 2, 2020.
External links[edit]
- Kāneiolouma – Nonprofit organization