Hokukano-Ualapue Complex facts for kids
|
Hokukano–Ualapue Complex
|
|
 Location in Hawaii
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Hawaii Route 450, Ualapue, Molokaʻi, Hawaii |
|---|---|
| Area | 146.5 acres (59.3 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000304 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHLD | December 29, 1962 |
The Hokukano-Ualapue Complex is a very important historical place on Molokaʻi island in Hawaiʻi. It's a special archaeological site that shows us how native Hawaiian people lived long ago, before Europeans arrived.
This complex includes six ancient Hawaiian temples, called heiaus. It also has two old fishponds. These sites are found near Hawaii Route 450 in a place called Ualapue. Because it's so important, the Hokukano-Ualapue Complex was named a National Historic Landmark in 1962. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966.
Contents
Discovering 'Ili'ili'ōpae Heiau
One of the most amazing parts of the complex is the Ili'ili'ōpae Heiau. This is the biggest heiau on Molokaʻi. It's also the second largest heiau in all of Hawaiʻi!
A heiau is an ancient Hawaiian temple or place of worship. They were built for many reasons, like praying for good harvests or for healing. The 'Ili'ili'ōpae Heiau is made of four levels. It rises up to a large stone platform. This platform measures about 287 feet long and 87 feet wide.
You can find this heiau about half a mile north of Highway 450. There's a path that goes up the Mahulepu valley. You can find this path near milepost 15 on the highway.
The Legend of 'Ili'ili'ōpae Heiau
There's a cool legend about how 'Ili'ili'ōpae Heiau was built. People say it was made in just one night! The legend tells that tiny, magical people called menehune built it. They passed boulders from hand to hand. The stones came all the way from the Wailau valley on the north shore. There used to be a hiking trail from the temple to Wailau. But now, it's not used anymore and is covered by plants.
Ancient Hawaiian Fishponds
The Hokukano-Ualapue Complex also includes two important fishponds. These are called Keawanui Pond and Ualapue Pond. These ponds show how clever ancient Hawaiians were at farming fish.
Keawanui Pond
Keawanui Pond is located on the south coast of Molokaʻi. It's about 1.5 miles west of Ualapue. This pond is a special type called a loko kuapa. This means it's a walled pond. It uses a curved part of the natural coastline as part of its wall. There's even a small island that helps form the barrier. The wall has several openings called sluice gates. These gates allowed small fish to enter the pond. They also kept larger fish inside until they were ready to be caught.
Ualapue Pond
The second pond, Ualapue Pond, is right on the shore at the village of Ualapue. It's also a loko kuapa. Its seawall was built using coral and basalt rocks. This wall is very long, about 1575 feet. It's also about 4 feet high. The width of the wall changes, from 8 to 19 feet wide. Just like Keawanui Pond, it has two sluice gates. These gates helped manage the fish inside the pond.
