Hokukano-Ualapue Complex

The Hokukano-Ualapue Complex is a National Historic Landmarked pre-contact archaeological site on several properties adjacent to Hawaii Route 450 in Ualapue, on Molokaʻi island. The complex includes six heiaus and two fishponds. The complex is one of the most important collections of native Hawaiian sites in Hawaiʻi.[3][4] It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1962 and added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966.[1]

Hokukano–Ualapue Complex
LocationHawaii Route 450, Ualapue, Molokaʻi, Hawaii
Coordinates21°3′45.1″N 156°49′48″W
Area146.5 acres (59.3 ha)
NRHP reference No.66000304[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPOctober 15, 1966[1]
Designated NHLDDecember 29, 1962[2]

'Ili'ili'ōpae Heiau

The largest and most impressive of the six heiau in the complex is 'Ili'ili'ōpae, the largest heiau on Molokai and the second largest in all Hawaii. It consists of four tiers, rising to a stone platform measuring 287 feet by 87 feet.[3] It is located half a mile north of Highway 450, and can be reached by a track up the Mahulepu valley from the highway near milepost 15.

According to legend 'Ili'ili'ōpae Heiau was constructed in a single night with boulders passed from hand to hand along a chain of menehune from the Wailau valley on the north shore. A hiking trail from the temple to Wailau has now fallen into disuse and is overgrown.[5]

Fish ponds

The two ponds considered part of this complex are Keawanui Pond and Ualapue Pond. Keawanui Pond is located on the south coast of Molokai, about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) west of Ualapue. It is a loko kuapa, or walled pond, which distinctively uses a curved portion of the natural coastline and a small island as part of its isolating barrier. The barrier wall is pierced in several places by sluice gates. The second pond, Ualapue Pond, is located on the shore at the eponymous village, and is also a loko kuapa, the seawall built out of coral and basalt. The wall is 1,575 feet (480 m) long, 4 feet (1.2 m) high, and varies in width from 8 to 19 feet (2.4 to 5.8 m). There are two sluice gates in the wall.[3]

See also

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. "Hokukano-Ualapue Complex". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2007-03-01. Retrieved 2008-06-21.
  3. Dunbar, Helen R. (May 26, 1988). "Hokukano–Ualapue" (pdf). National Register of Historic Places - Inventory Nomination Form. National Park Service. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
  4. "Hokukano–Ualapue" (pdf). Photographs. National Park Service. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
  5. Greg Ward (2011). Hawaii. Rough Guides. p. 409. ISBN 978-1-84836-529-2.
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