Situated on 262 acres of wind-swept, rocky coastline, the Lapakahi State Historical Park is an archaeological site focused on the remains of a 14th-century Hawaiian fishing community. The coastal waters are part of the Lapakahi Marine Life Conservation District of Keawanui Bay, and the ruins excavated here are among the most culturally important on the Big Island of Hawaii.
A self-guided tour through the old village starts at the park entrance. Brochures are available from staff members, who man an information kiosk there. Interpretive displays set up by the Department of Land and Natural Resources give an overview of the area, with photographs and maps.
The recommended course takes visitors along a marked trail past old house sites, including a canoe halau (long house). Lava stone walls were used to form the lower walls, while wooden poles supported the thatched roofs and walls made of pili grass. Although parts of the village have been restored, most of the walls and remains are the original stonework.
Further on, there is a recreational area where such ancient games as spear-throwing, disc-rolling and konane (Hawaiian checkers) can be tried. From a bluff above the village, the entire coastline can be seen and whale watching is possible between October and April.
This area was first settled in the 1300s. The ground is quite rocky, but fertile and rich in natural resources. Crops were grown in small plots next to the houses, including sweet potatoes, fruit and vegetables. Gourds were used as containers, and cooking fires were built in hollowed out logs.
Fishing was the primary occupation of the villagers. Along the trail, salt pans and natural canoe shelters can be seen towards the beach. After a successful fishing expedition, the villagers would dedicate a portion of their catch to the fishing god, Ku'ula, who was said to live in stones set up as small fishing shrines. Several of these still remain along the shore.
Heaps of dead while coral dot the shoreline, where strong winds race through small stands of palm trees and the endless waves crash upon the volcanic rocks. The village stretches along the coast for miles, and only a small portion of it has been excavated and restored for viewing. Speculation as to why the village eventually was deserted centers on the lack of fresh drinking water in these harsh environs.
Lapakahi State Historical Park is located in North Kohala along the Akoni Pule Highway (State Highway 270) at mile marker #14. It is about 12.5 miles north of Kawaihae en route to Mahukona. The mailing address is P.O. Box 936, 75 Aupuni Street 204, Hilo, HI 96721-0936. Park operating hours are from 8am to 4pm daily, but closed on Hawaiian State Holidays. The self-guided tour covers about one lime and takes about 45 minutes.
Groups may arrange for guided tours and demonstrations by making advance reservations. Many of the facilities, including the restrooms and portions of the trail, are handicap accessible. Free parking is provided for up to a dozen cars and three tour buses. Admission is also free of charge. Lapakahi State Historical Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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