Early History
Ka Wela means "the heat" in the Hawaiian language. It was the name of a traditional land division (ahupuaʻa) of ancient Hawaii, but the name is also used on several other islands.
It is located about 4.5 miles (7.2 km) east of the town of Kaunakakai. A heiau is visible at 21°4′39″N 156°56′40″W / 21.07750°N 156.94444°W / 21.07750; -156.94444Coordinates: 21°4′39″N 156°56′40″W / 21.07750°N 156.94444°W / 21.07750; -156.94444 on a ridge between the forks of Kawela glutch.
This is generally thought to be the place of refuge (Puʻuhonua) where the soldiers of Kapiʻioho o kalani fled during a great battle of about 1737.
In about February 1795, women and children escaped to Molokaʻi when Kamehameha I had just conquered Maui. In pursuit, the vast fleet of war canoes stretched all along the coast from Kawela past Kaunakakai to the area known as Kalamaʻula. The army met little resistance this time. Queen Kalola was asked if the two kingdoms could be united by marrying off her daughter Keōpūolani, who was considered to have the best royal family background, and thus would be suitable as a mother of future rulers. Her sons and grandsons would rule the Kingdom of Hawaii as the House of Kamehameha. In the late 19th century it was part of the vast Molokaʻi Ranch owned by King Kamehameha V and managed by the family of Rudolph Wilhelm Meyer.
Read more about this topic: Archeological Sites At Kawela
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