Halawa, Molokai facts for kids
Hālawa is a beautiful valley located on the eastern side of the island of Molokaʻi in Hawaiʻi, United States. It is also known as an ahupuaʻa, which is a traditional Hawaiian land division that stretches from the mountains all the way to the sea.
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Exploring Hālawa Valley's Nature
This amazing valley reaches about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) inland from the ocean. If you explore deeper into the valley, you'll discover two stunning waterfalls. Moʻaula Falls drops about 250 feet (76 meters), and Hipuapua Falls is even taller, at about 500 feet (152 meters) high!
Hālawa's Ancient History
Hālawa is a very special place because it's one of the oldest known settlements in Hawaiʻi. Scientists have found signs of human life here dating back 1,350 years. This means people have lived and developed their culture in Hālawa for a very long time without interruption.
How Ancient Hawaiians Lived in Hālawa
Long ago, the valley was a busy place where people grew a lot of taro. Taro is a starchy plant that was a very important food source for ancient Hawaiians. At one point, thousands of people lived in Hālawa.
Amazing Discoveries in the Valley
When archaeologists study Hālawa, they find many clues about the past. These include:
- 17 heiau (ancient Hawaiian temples)
- Old irrigation channels used to water crops
- Ancient walls and terraces built by the people
Hālawa in Modern Times
The traditional Hawaiian way of life continued in Hālawa well into the 1900s. However, two large ocean waves, called tsunamis, changed the valley. One hit in 1946 and another in 1957. These powerful waves damaged the taro fields, making it hard to grow food. Because of this, most people moved away from the valley. Today, only a few families still live there.
Visiting Hālawa Today
Hālawa is located at the very end of Hawaiʻi state highway 450. It's about 28 miles (45 kilometers) east of a town called Kaunakakai. There is a public beach where visitors can enjoy the ocean. However, most of the land in the valley is privately owned. If you want to see the famous waterfalls, local guides offer special hiking tours.
