Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 8, Number 3, 1 Malaki 1991 — H-3 to avoid Halawa village complex [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

H-3 to avoid Halawa village complex

Discovery of a rich archaeological complex of what may be an ancient Hawaiian village site in Halawa valley has led to the re-routing of part of the H-3 freeway whieh will be coming through the valley. Members of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Historic Preservation Task Force recently visited

the site, whieh was discovered by Bishop Museum archaeologists during clearing and intensive mapping of the planned freeway route. Previous archaeological studies had not revealed the extent of sites now being studied. The complex will be ,preserved now as the freeway will bypass it on the other side of the valley where no sites have been discovered to date. The Halawa village complex includes what are believed to be house sites, burial sites (whieh will

remain intact and undisturbed) two religious structures and one very large house site, possibly the home of a chief. While scientific dating of materials found has yet to be done, the area may have been in use over 300 to 500 years and as recently as 150 to 250 years ago. The site at Halawa is one of three areas connected with the H-3 project that the Department of Transportation may turn over to OHA for historic preservation management.

Historic preservation task force members visit Halawa valley site of a probable ancient Hawaiian village, discovered by archaeologists. H-3 will be moved to avoid the complex.

This well-def ined large area with mostly intact walls may have been the site of a chief's house.