The Department of Land and Natural Resources has administratively established an Historic Preserve land designation. These public properties have been set aside, under the division's management, for the preservation and protection of the historic sites on them, as well as for the perpetuation of cultural traditions associated with the sites.Such properties are not necessarily open to the general public. The division also administers a program which allows responsible and appropriate community organizations to become stewards, or curators, of specific historic properties. Because of staff limitations, the division currently works with two curator groups in the State.
Keahualaka
Halau Hula at Ke`e
This preserve associated with Laka, the Hawaiian goddess of
hula, is located west of Ha`ena Bay at the very end of the
present highway on the north side of Kaua`i. It has been used for the
training and graduation of hula students since pre-contact
times. Any halau (hula troupe) planning to use Ke`e for
this purpose may contact Jeff Chandler at (808) 826-6295 to make
arrangements.
Kaniakapupu
at Nu`uanu
Located in Nu`uanu Valley on O`ahu are the ruins of Kaniakapupu,
the summer home of Kamehameha III (Kauikeaouli). Completed in 1845,
this is the only site on O`ahu having direct association with
Kamehameha III. These ruins, on the verge of collapse, tell a vivid
story of a remarkable time in Hawai`i's history when Hawaiian and
western culture began to blend in dramatic ways.
Salt
Pans at Hanapepe
The Hanapepe Salt Pond area has been used since ancient times for
the production of salt for food seasoning and preservation. Every
summer, the families of this region gather to build their "pans" to
prepare salt for the next year. The earthen pans impart a distinct
red hue and flavor to the salt.
Kahalu`u Taro Lo`i at Ahuimanu, Koolaupoko, O`ahu
A complex of taro terraces and its auwai (irrigation
ditch) system are intact. This site was cleared and archaeological
work was done in the 1980s. With work, the taro lo`i
(irrigated fields) could be cleared and made operational again.
Greenbank, Hawai`i Island
The former Wight Estate in North Kohala, Hawai`i Island, is a
22.25 acre preserve now known as Greenbank. The main features at this
site are the pre-contact, irrigated taro lo`i (terraces); the
Wight Estate gardens; and the Wight Cemetery. James Wight, a doctor
and wealthy businessman, was shipwrecked at Mahukona in 1850 and
remained in this area to practice medicine and botany. The area is
currently overgrown and agreements for curators are being
negotiated.
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