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Farias3 Punalu'u Geoboic/Soil information The Ninole-Punalu'u area is one of the oldest geologicalM~n_the island of Hawaii. (Kelty, 1958) The soil is made up of several volcanic series, the first is called the Ninole volcanic series which r~ured before the late Pliocene or early Pleistocene. The next series was the Kahuku and Ka'u series, followed by a layer of Pahala Ash, radiocarbon dated at 101000 to 17,000 vests ago. Over the years, this repeated layering of lava and ash throughout the pre-historic and into the historic period has made the soil rich and deep. This stratographic layering of the soil also makes relative dating of sites in the area easier. The beach area at Punalu'u is wvered with black sand that extends all along the coast Further inland, and including the beach cliff areas there is a mixhrre of pahcehoe and a'a present [n the fiat laver of deooeits. Also, In November 1790, the same flme that Keoua Kauahu'ula was killed marching past the crater at the volcano, a cinder heap moved from Apua to Punalu'u. {Kamakau 1961) This layer of ash may provide a good baseline for dating of some materials in the Punalu'u to Apua region. Archaeoloov of the Punalu'u comolex The entire ahupua'a was mapped and surveyed, with the exception of Punalu'u nui heiau. Evidence of that survey showed that the heiau was a central part of a larger complex, which included houses, platforms and structures outside of the heiau to west and to the north. Punalu'u Nui Heiau: Geographic location and historic alterations On the eastern promitory of the beach, on a small cliff, near where the present boat launch is located is the heiau known locally as Punalu'u nui . The heiau is located on tax map key number 9-6-02:06 lot 9A, on the island of Hawaii in the District of Ka'u, in the USGS quadrangle and 'ahupua'a of Punalu'u. The site has been modified over the years due to tsunami and earthquake events and bull dozing by local beachgcers in order to enlarge the present gravel parking lot and picnic area in recent historical times. Evidence demonstrates that the heiau itself used to extend and include the present boat launch, concrete slab, and the entire area from the present remnants of the heiau to the coast on both the west and south sides. Presently, remnants of the site is accessible from the concrete slab at the beach area, and is open to the public. Signage has been erected by someone and paths are located conveniently throughout the heiau. Additionalty, there is no obvious show of plants growing inside or in the heiau complex. It is apparent that someone seems to be up keeping the heiau (there is a modern Isle altar erected inside the heiau complex, and obvious wall reconstruction has taken place). While it has never been properly surveyed, Stokes in the late 1800s concluded that it was comprised initially of two former religious sites (one large enclosure, flanked perpendicularly to a large platform) , at least one of which was dedicated to Lono, healing and agriculture. Punalu'u Nui is a heiau of the luakini Gass, used for religious-social and religious-political reasons, and is connected with warfare. These heiau were important in guaranteeing the future success of a new leader through the performance of rituals, that included the shedding of blood, amongst other things. Historical and Ethnohistorical information for the transformation of the area is as follows: • Pa'ao arrives in Hawaii, 12th century. Said to have built the Luakini's in Hawaii. Luakini's said to have been only bulk by a paramount chief. (Kirch, 1985) • 1820- The 'Aikapu is overthrown. This is the end of the use of the Luakini heiau. ? A warehouse is built on the grounds of the Heiau complex, along the western side of the cliff (date unknown) • In 1868, there was a huge tsunami, reducing the heiau to an "ancient wall'. ? In 1875, a canal was dug by the wharf between the pond and the warehouse, thereby altering the fish pond. ? In an 1887 photo and map in Majestic Ka'u, there is a lighthouse and a jail located on the