Hallett H. Hammatt and Douglas Borthwick
Cultural Surveys Hawai'i for Bingham Engineering Co.
October 1986
An archaeological reconnaissance of upper Hanalei Valley was conducted October 1-5, 1986, to assess impact of a proposed hydroelectric project.
The survey area included over 5 miles of the river valley from Ka'apoko Stream to Hanalei Homesteads. Although the survey was constrained by heavy vegetation and steep terrain, 14 archaeological sites were located and briefly described. These occur on both sides of the river and are concentrated on the level point bars adjacent to the channel. They probably extend up slope.
Irrigated terrace sites, some with associated house platforms, were found throughout the project area. One of these sites may contain dry land terraces. The terraces may have been irrigated by water tapped from tributary streams rather than from the river itself.
Historic house sites were found in the makai portion of the project area and correspond to those shown on a 1916 U. S. G.S. Map. There are 2 rock shelters upstream from the project area, one of which was visited by W. C. Bennett in 1929. Attempts to relocate and correlate to Bennett's sites were only partially successful. A more complete survey of a cleared and marked pipeline route including tributary intakes is recommended.