Early Human Activity at a Leeward Coastal Pondfield near Kalepolepo, Maui

Abstract

This paper presents the results of excavations undertaken near the historic Kalepolepo Church (SHIP #15-10-1587) in Kihei located in leeward east Maui. This place was an important component of the ancient coastal enclave of Kalepolepo, known for its series of coastal fishponds, and later for, the religious community of David Malo. The goal of excavation was to provide comparative coastal subsistence information for the upland survey conducted in Waiohuli (Kolb, Conte and Cordy 1997). Ethnohistoric records indicate that this area was primarily suited for sweet potato cultivation, although land documents suggest that a number of coastal pondfields in the area provided opportunities for the production of wetland taro. Most studies on Hawaiian dryland agriculture have focused on upland leeward agricultural systems (e.g. Rosendahl 1994) since many leeward coastal ponds have been destroyed by coastal development. Our results indicate human activity at the Kalepolepo church site began around a small inland pond about the same time as intensive permanent upland settlement in Kula.