Niihau_Survey

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY

The area west of also surveyed in the May 9 1987 survey. Two structures were noted in the area. The first was a stone wall enclosure, and the second was a rectangular stone fishing marker built on an elevated lava outcrop. This marker measured 3 feet wide by 4 feet long and stood about 4 feet tall. Below it was a small, rectangular house platform paved with sand. In the back were small circular structures delineated by walls, one to two stones in height. The location, devoid of any water source, would suggest temporary, at most seasonal occupation. The area was observed and noted again on 2 June 2000.

On 3 June 2000, we surveyed the area of the Proposed Site C (Final EIS, Dec 1998). The radius of the site was measured from its center using a compass and a 50 m. tape. The center was determined to be over 750 feet southwest from a long lava ridge line. A foot survey to the north and east of the center revealed only lava rubble and flat ground. No Hawaiian sites of any kind were noted. Using the helicopter, a visual inspection of the center and its 750 ft radius circular area revealed no sites.

On 26 February 2000, a field inspection was undertaken of the petroglyph site reputed to be at Kaumuhonu Cave. The cave is a hollow in the volcanic ash created by wave action. The floor consisted of ash covered with a thin layer of sand. The ceiling, walls and floor were inspected inside the cave, and the outside area was inspected, as well. Neither petroglyphs nor modern graffitti were noted. The reputed petroglyphs of Kaumuhonu do not exist.

Memorandum of Findings Date: June 5, 2000

To: Phil Meyer Barbara Lane
From William K. Kikuchi
The following memorandum contains findings from three separate surveys concentrated on the northeast corner of the northern sector of the Island of Ni'ihau. A fourth survey was made at the southern tip of the island.
1. On 9 May 1987, I surveyed the northeastern sector of Ni'ihau. The area in question extended from Kikepa Point south along the ridge for 3/4 mile then south eastward 1 mile to the coast northeast of Kii landing. I also surveyed the 2 miles of coastline from Kikepa to KiÕi The area proposed as Site A (Final EIS Dec.1998) lies within the area surveyed .

In 1912, Stokes reported and photographed the fishing shrine of Kaunupou located on the shore approximately 1/2 mile northeast of Kii landing. Stokes described the site as a small rock-coral structure on the rocky shore. Prior to my field trip in 1987, I examined StokeÕs field notes and photographs (Ms SC Group 1 Box 9, Folder 9.47-9.49 ). I was unable to find any remains of a small rock-coral structure of Kaunupou on the shore. Its location near the shore would have allowed for eradication of the structure by tsunami or hurricane storm surges.

DRAFT #3 Date: June 5, 2000

Memorandum of Findings DRAFT #1 Date:Aug. 6, 2000
To: Phil Meyer Barbara Lane
From William K. Kikuchi The following memorandum contains findings from a survey: on the northeast cliff at the Perch and Radar Facility Site and on the Southeastern cliff at Pueo Ridge of Paniau Mountain and the remaining UAV and Reservoir sites on the southern sector of Niihau Island.

The survey date was 30, July 2000.
1. Radar Facility on Paniau In June 1980 , upon request by the U.S. Navy, I completed the initial survey of the site of the future Radar facility. On the eastward edge of the site lies the cliff of Paniau. On the ridge line running north to south the ground slopes westward at around 20-30 degree downhill slope and consisted of basalt and the soil formed from its decomposition. The western facing slope was covered with koa-haole bush. A survey of this slope for a distance of nearly 100 feet revealed nothing in the way of any human use. Clearing from the construction of the radar facility still showed no evidence of previous human use of the site.
2. Perch Site on Paniau North of the Radar facility and around 1/2 to 3/4 miles from it is the site called the Perch Site. The eastern edge is again the cliff of Paniau. The lands northwest, west and south were surveyed for a distance of 200-300 feet, and again no evidence of human use was noted. All of the aforementioned land, with the exception of the cliff, consisted of a 20-25 degree downhill slope covered with sparse shrubbery.
3. Pueo Ridge on Paniau Pueo Ridge was reputed by Keale Sr. and Tava [1989:12] to contain a site or sites of Hawaiian temples and the remains of stone structures. The ridge extends northward for about 1/4 mile from the southern-most tip of Paniau Cliff. Pueo Ridge was climbed and surveyed from its western facing side. Numerous natural ledges and overhangs were seen along the western face of the ridge, but none revealed any evidence of human use. The ridge line was surveyed, and all that was found were natural outcrops of rocks. From a distance, large boulders and natural dike formations gave the appearance of having been used by humans. However, close inspection revealed that the entire ridge of Pueo was natural; nothing of Hawaiian construction was noted.
4. UAV#1 This site is a large flattened pasture. A large "X" bulldozed on its surface indicated its location. No Hawaiian sites in or around the pasture were found.
5. UAV #2 This is another large pasture. Both UAV #1 and #2 consisted of flat, grassy plains fringed by trees. Both could easily serve to land a large aircraft capable of landing on grassy strips. No sites in or around UAV #2 were noted.
6. Reservoir Site This is the site of the failed concrete reservoir, parts of the walls of which are still standing. Using a datum point from its southern wall, the survey followed an iron pipe [290 degrees azimuth ] for a distance of around 500 feet to a pumphouse. The pipe then proceeded another 100 feet into the now dried pond. The pumphouse and concrete pilings were carefully inspected. A ÒpetroglyphÓ inscribed on one of the pilings gave the following information: KAHAINO, Jan. 18, 1957. The area north and east of the reservoir was surveyed for a distance of 200-300 feet. This area is a very large boulder field. The rocks are the talus from the lava outcrops occuring on the eastern slopes above the reservoir. The lands south of the reservoir were initially surveyed a year ago. A dried pond lay west of the pumphouse; its fringes were surveyed. There was no evidence of prehistoric use of this land.