COM 0349.065 2006-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Fazias9 not far from the site as well as the beach of Koloa ('ili'ili hanau) located by Ninole cove. Material that would have been used for the ceremony would have been `Ohi'a wood for the image of Ku, and other woods and thatching to re-construct the houses each year: these materials could have been harvested in the uplands of Hilea. The 'uluafish for the 'ulua fishing rite could have been obtained by fishing offshore near the heiau in a canoe. The building of a Luakini: According to Kamakau in his book The people of old, "a luakini could not be buittjust anywhere, but onty upon sites formerly built on by Ka po'e Kahiko". (Kamakau, 1991) Therefore, the fact that this site may have been two heiau together is not surpassing, in fact, according to Kirch in Feathergods and Fishhooks, larger heiau may have been built in stages and constructed over 6me. This is supported by sites in East Potynesia, Easter and at sites at Honaunau ('Ale'ale'a) and Makaha Valley (Kane'aki) that were found to be culturally stratified. The Makaha site in particular was built in six stages over several centuries. Additionally, in Halawa valley there are two luakini heiau, they have been constructed on higher slopes with panoramic views. This pattern has held to be true of the Punalu'u nut site as well. When you stand in the heiau you can see for miles in every direction. Conclusion The site called Punalu'u nut heiau was constructed after 1100 and be#ore 1820. It probably will provide a variety of dates since d may have been constructed over several years, and may involve two different sites. !t was definitely in use during the 1600's through the end of the'ai kapu in 1820 as demonstrated by dates found in associated house sites. It was probably a part of a larger complex and may have been connected with a larger population in ancient days. G- The fact that Kamehameha had a village there and the fish pond was located there (not to mention the great surfing spots that Punalu'u is famous for) may suggest that the Ali'i nut may, have frequented this area more often than just to conduct luakini services. The heiau was a district luakini associated with the Ka'u district and may have been enlarged after Kamehameha became King. The village areas may have extended upwards and the complex may have included more area than what has presently been discovered. It would be interesting to investigate this area further, as echoed by Mr. Crozier in his report I am planning to take slides and possibly have an opportunity to measure and map the site in the near future.