Kaunolu Village Lanai: Ancient Fishing Village

The Kaunolu Village Lanai is a very old historical Hawaiian fishing village which historians believe was first established during the 15th century. One of the Hawaiian Islands greatest rulers - King Kamehameha the Great – selected the Kaunolu Village Lanai as his retreat mainly because it was one of the most prized fishing sites on the island.

An interesting and revealing hike has been developed by the Bishop Museum that provides interested visitors with information about the Kaunolu Village Lanai and the individual ruins that scatter the area. To date a number of specialists have uncovered the existence of more than 100 homes, storage buildings and burial sites. This is enough historical evidence to have this Hawaiian attraction registered as a National Historical Landmark.

There are many theories that have sprung up around the Hawaiian fishing village of Kaunolu . The main belief is that this was set to be the religious centre of Lanai. Although it appears dry and arid now, back then the Pacific was the life blood to the area, providing an abundance of food and evidence of a freshwater stream was found to run through the Kaunolu Gulch that is close to the village.

So how do you get to the Kaunolu Village? – Well follow highway number 440 out of Lanai City so you are going in the direction of Kaumalapau Harbor . You will pass the slip road to the airport; take the next left turning into Kaupili Road . After about two and a half miles you will find yourself face to face with a yellow standpipe. A road runs off to the right that will then take you down to the Kaunolu Village Lanai.

Here are a few tips when visiting this Hawaiian attraction:

·   Try not to disrupt any remaining foundations or walls

·   Rain makes the roads extremely slippery an dangerous – so at times like these the village is best avoided.

·   There are no facilities present – so bring a supply of eats and drinks.

·   The coastline is riddled with natural features called sea arches which were formed when hot lava cooling when it hit the ocean. The quick cooling unfortunately makes these formations very fragile and as result dangerous to walk on.