Archeological Sites at Kawela, Archaeological site in Molokai, United States.
Kawela Archaeological Sites comprise residential structures, religious buildings, and burial grounds situated along Molokai's southern coast. The remains spread across multiple areas and show how people inhabited and used this land.
Two major battles reached this location in 1737 and 1795, with the heiau on Kawela Gulch ridge serving as refuge during military conflict. Such religious structures played a crucial role for the communities who lived here during critical periods.
The remains here show how Native Hawaiians managed the land through structures like fishponds and agricultural terraces built into the slopes. These constructions reveal a deep knowledge of the local environment and how to live sustainably in it.
The site sits on private property roughly 7 kilometers east of Kaunakakai and requires special permission to access. Visitors should arrange access beforehand and bring necessary documentation.
Twenty-one separate archaeological sites within Kawela are each individually registered on the National Register of Historic Places. This multiple registration highlights the exceptional importance of this collection of remains for Hawaiian history.
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