Communication No. 2021-08- Simmy McMichael Testimony

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USDI/NPS NRNP Registration Form H61ualoa 4 Archaeological District NPS Form 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET Section 8 Page 1 Holualoa 4 Archaeological District name of property OMB No. 1024-0018 Hawai'i County, HI county and state Page 17 The cultural significance of the H61ualoa 4 Archaeological District relates to the use of this area as one of the seven royal centers of Kona and the important role that these royal centers played in the political, religious, and social development of Hawaii Island for at least 200 years prior to Western contact, circa A.D. 1600-1778. This makes the district significant on the local and state levels in the area of religion and politics, ethnic history, engineering, and archaeology under criteria A, B, C, and D. The continuous use of these royal centers reflects the importance of these places through several generations of high-ranking ah'i. The key figures associated with the Holualoa royal center are ali'i of the highest ranking status, including its unique association with chiefesses. The Keolonahihi and Keakealaniwahine complexes that comprise the Holualoa 4 District are well- preserved archaeological sites. The major impact to the integrity of the H61ualoa District has been the construction of Ali'i Drive through the district and the modern houses built along this roadway. Religion and Politics Religion and politics were closely interwoven in Hawaiian culture. The royal centers of Kona reflect this interrelationship with residential sites, heiau, and sacred sites present within a defined royal compound. Often associated with these royal centers were pu'uhonua (places of refuge), reflecting the strong association between pu'uhonua and sites occupied by the high-ranking ah'i. Keakamahana was of the highest pi`o rank, born of the union between brother and sister. Both Keakamahana and her daughter Keakealaniwahine were the highest ranking ah'i of their generation. The power of these chiefesses is thought to have been nominal in secular affairs with their political and economic powers being limited to Kona. Kamehameha I's association with the H61ualoa center spanned his childhood when he learned to surf and canoe in Holualoa Bay, until the time of his rule (1795-1819) when he placed his war god, Kukailimoku, at the Hale O Kaili structure at H61ualoa. Kukailimoku and the Hale O Kaili sites play an important role in Kamehameha's efforts to unite Hawai'i Island and later, the Hawaiian Islands. As a royal center, the H61ualoa 4 District contains a total of 8 heiau structures that were constructed and dedicated for a range of religious functions that are representive of Hawaiian cultural traditions and practices. The functions of these heiau include surfing (Hale 'A'ama), warrior training (Kanekaheilani Heiau), medicine and healing (Hualani Heiau), fertility (Mo'ipe Heiau), and preparation of ah'i for burial (Burial Heiau and Haleokekupa). Because of its association with chiefesses, it is believed that rituals and ceremonies related to women were held at these sites. Ethnic Heritage With the arrival of Pa'ao circa A.D. 1300 from Kahiki, new traditions were introduced to Hawai'i. With time and adaptation, Hawaiian culture became more complex as a stratified social system developed, agriculture and aquaculture expanded with population growth, massive stacked rock heiau structures were constructed, religious ceremonies became more elaborate, and warfare became more common as chiefs fought for land and power. The royal centers of Kona are representative of this complex socio -political -religious system that had become well established on the island of Hawaii by A.D. 1600. With the stratified social system, it was important to retain the division between ah'i (chiefs) and maka'ainana (commoners). This was done through a physical separation, such as the royal centers that were restricted to only the ah'i and kahuna. The other means of maintaining the class distinction was to arrange royal marriages and