The Koloa Field System that lies between the Ha'upu Range and the Po'ipu-Kukui'ula coastline held, as recently as 1975, the richest of all remaining
archaeological agricultural sites in Hawai'i and the most advanced of all examples of agricultural practices and production in ancient Polynesia.(google earth superimposed with 'auwai system) |
The ahupua'a of Koloa is divided into three sections, Koloa Komo'oloa (the upland regions of the ahupua'a), Koloa Komohana (west of Waikomo Stream to Kukui'ula) and Koloa Hikina (east of Waikomo Stream to Weliweli)
Seven hundred acres, located primarily in Koloa Hikina, made up what archeologists refer to as the Koloa Field System. Sections of this field system extended into Koloa Komohana and to the western boundary of the ahupua'a of Weliweli.
The Koloa Field System sits on a large pahoehoe plain of basaltic lava (smooth undulating masses of basalt) that gently slopes from Koloa to the seashore.
The U.S. Soil Conservation Service classifies the soil composition within the Field System as totally unsuitable for agriculture. It is comprised of 10% silty clay, 60% Waikomo very rocky silty clay, and 30% Waikomo extremely rocky silty clay. This arid area averages an annual rainfall of 35-40 inches.
Hawaiians residing in Koloa and Weliweli cultivated crops in great abundance on this arid rocky plain, utilizing an ingenious and extensive 'auwai (irrigation) network. This 'auwai system and the intense cultivation of "land unsuitable for agriculture" sets the Koloa Field System apart from every field system throughout the Hawaiian Islands and in all Polynesia.
The ahupua'a of Koloa was heavily populated and well watered by constantly flowing streams; the 'Oma'o (lit.green), Waikomo (lit.returning waters), Waihohonu (lit.deep waters) and the Pa'ele'ele (lit.dark night).These streams fed over one hundred miles of 'auwai in the Koloa Field System.