This 265-acre park is the site of an ancient Hawaiian
settlement located along the shoreline of the Lapakahi
Marine Life Conservation District.
The area was first settled around 600
years ago in the 1300's. Some of the village has been partially
restored but most of the rocky walls and remains are original.
Marked trails and a free guide brochure
lead you through several acres of this historic village.
This area was rich in natural resources
for the settlers - good fishing and fertile land. But life
here was also difficult as the ground is rocky and the area
is very windy.
Lava stone walls formed the lower portion
of the homes and shelters built here. Wooden poles supported
the pili grass roofs and walls.
Trees, bushes, grass and rocks were all
used as food sources or utensils for building, cooking or
fishing.
The villagers were divided into fishermen
and farmers to provide a well-balanced diet of fish, fruit
and vegetables.
Natural coves made it easy to launch and
dock canoes. The hillside provided a vantage point to watch
for the return of the fishermen.
Fishing shrines like this one were dedicated
to the fishing god, Ku'ula, who lived in the stone. A portion
of every catch was left at the stone in return for the gods
blessings.
