What Is the South Point Complex?
This is a cluster of archaeological sites at the southernmost point in the United States!
What Makes It Historical?
It is believed that the earliest Hawaiians landed here at South Point (Ka Lae) based on archaeological digs in 1956. At the nearby Hill of Chiefs (Puʻu Aliʻi) sand dune, a team from the Bishop Museum uncovered the remains of a house, fire hearth, and over 14,000 artifacts!
Folks who lived at South Point depended on the famously rough water here. They would tie their boats through mooring holes in the rock, so they wouldn’t get pulled out to sea hunting marlin, tuna, and mahi mahi! Atop the rocks, they’d evaporate sea salt to use in preserving their catch! All of this success, they believed, was at the whim of the fishing god, Kuʻula, and so they built him a 42-foot by 38-foot heiau right by their mooring holes, in the hopes that the satisfied god would grant them a bountiful catch! Today, this Kalalea Heiau is still standing at Ka Lae!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Become a member of the Hawaiian Historical Society!
- Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
How Do I Get There?
End of South Point Road
11 miles south of Mamalahoa Hwy
Naalehu, HI 96772
(Take Me There!)
When Should I Visit?
Whenever the mood strikes you!
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