Hallett H. Hammatt
Cultural Surveys Hawaii' for Belt Collins and Associates
July 1988
An archaeological reconnaissance survey was conducted of approximately 150 acres of coastal land in Kalapaki, Kaua'i. The project area on the east coast of the island extends northwards from Ninini Point for approximately 2 miles and includes cane fields on the mauka side to the new runway of Lihu'e Airport.
Five archaeological sites were located along the sloping shoreline, mostly vegetated with iron wood trees. These include 2 wall remnants of the historic era, a midden scatter along the wave cut shoreline, an oval alignment or terrace and a 400-foot long wall, extending northwards from the Ninini Point Lighthouse.
Limited subsurface testing is recommended at the midden scatter and in the oval terrace to determine age and possible function of the sites. The wall at Ninini Point is recommended for preservation because it may have been associated with a former heiau which stood near the location of the present lighthouse.
In general, the project area has been extensively modified in historic times by cane cultivation, rock quarrying, bulldozing and dumping. Bennett's survey of 1931 mentions 2 heiau, one at Ninini Point and one at Ahukini Point. Both of these places have been heavily modified and there is no trace of former temple structures.
Archaeological Assessment of
Phase III, IV, V Kaua'i Lagoons Resort
Kalapaki, Kaua'i
Hallett H. Hammatt
Cultural Surveys Hawai'i for Shinwa Golf Co., Ltd.
November 1990
Most recently an archaeological survey of 150 acres of coastal land was conducted by Cultural Surveys Hawai'i. This study covered the area of the proposed Kaua'i Lagoons 3rd Golf Course (Phase V of the Kaua'i Lagoons Resort ). The fieldwork for this project included examination of the 2 former heiau sites for remnants of these structures. None were found. A total of 5 archaeological sites were located along the coastal strip within the stand of iron woods which fringes the shoreline. These sites are within the conservation zone and three of the five are considered significant. A wall (Site 5) located at Ninini Point is recommended for preservation because it is an excellent example of a site type and may in some way have related to the site of the former Ninini Heiau.