Kaunolu Ancient Village - Lanai Historical Sites, Lanai

South Lanai

This ancient Hawaiian fishing village was thought to be first inhabited in the 15th Century. It was once the vacation site of King Kamehameha the Great. After he conquered Lanai in the early 1800's, he selected this site as a favorite fishing spot. He rebuilt the Halulu Heiau and had a residence nearby. An interpretive hike built by the Bishop Museum gives educational information about the sites and the numerous ruins located here. Kaunolu Village is on the register as a National Historical Landmark. There are stone foundations of more than 100 Hawaiian homes, storerooms, garden walls, and burial sites located here. People lived in this village until the late 1800's. It is thought to be the religious center of Lanai. The area may seem dry and barren to us, but during ancient times, the ocean provided plenty of food and a freshwater stream flows almost all year long through the Kaunolu Gulch to the right of the village.

Directions:

Take Highway 440 west out of Lanai City toward Kaumalapau Harbor. Go past the airport turnoff and take the next left Kaupili Road, an unmarked dirt road. Travel approximately 2.5 miles to a yellow standpipe on the right. Turn right on this rocky road which descends downhill about 3 miles to Kaunolu Village. The intrepretive hike is on the right.

Useful Information:

This is a historical site, DO NOT remove, move, or wrap any of the stones located here

DO NOT walk on any of the rock walls

No facilities

Do not attempt to access this area when it is raining as the road is rocky and steep