Ka Lae

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South Point Complex
(U.S. National Historic Landmark)
Rocky cliffs of Ka Lae
Rocky cliffs of Ka Lae
Location: Big Island of Hawaii
Nearest city: Nā'ālehu
Added to NRHP: October 15, 1966
NRHP Reference#: 66000291
Governing body: United States Government
Ka Lae Point, with people getting ready to jump the cliff
Ka Lae Point, with people getting ready to jump the cliff

Ka Lae ("the point" in Hawaiian), also known as South Point, is the southernmost point on the island of Hawaiʻi and in the state of Hawaii. It is the southernmost point of the 50 United States. The Ka Lae area is registered as a National Historic Landmark District.

A confluence of ocean currents just offshore makes this spot one of Hawaii's most popular fishing spots. Both red snapper and ulua are plentiful here. Locals fish from the cliffs, some dangling perilously over the edge of steep lava ledges. Swimming here, however, is not recommended, due to the current. In fact, it is called the "Halaea Current", named after a chief who was carried off to his death.[1]

The confluence of currents also means the area is prone to accumulation of marine debris. Most of this coastline is very remote and difficult to access, and is probably the most debris-littered coast in the state, primarily due to its difficult access for debris removal. This debris poses an entanglement threat to wildlife and may refloat during storms. The shoreline is used by Hawaiian Monk Seals and hatchling Hawksbill turtles, both endangered species. Efforts to clean the coastline are organized by the Hawaii Wildlife Fund in conjunction with the NOAA.[2]

Ka Lae is the site of one of the earliest Hawaiian settlements and it is speculated that this is where the Polynesians first landed because the Big Island is the closest of the Hawaiian Islands to Tahiti, and Ka Lae would be the first landfall.[3] Ruins of a heiau and a fishing shrine can be found here. In addition, ancient Hawaiians drilled numerous holes in the rock ledges to use for mooring their canoes. Tying long ropes to their boats, they would drift out to sea to fish without fear of being carried away by the strong currents.[4] Evidence suggests that people have been in the area since A.D. 200.[1]

Wind-blown tree
Wind-blown tree

The area is also known for its strong winds and is the home of a wind farm. Some trees are almost horizontal with their branches all growing in the same direction near the ground.

Ka Lae is accessible via South Point Rd., a 20-mile (32 km) tarmac road leading from State Highway 11, the turn off being about 7 miles (11 km) west of the village of Nā'ālehu. The Kamaoa and Pakini Nui Wind Farms are located alongside the road, as well as the large shortwave radio antennas of KWHR and a 13-meter parabolic antenna of the Universal Space Network. A fork is at the end of the tarmac road, with one dirt road leading to Ka Lae and the other to Green Sands Beach.

[edit] Wind farms

South Point wind farm
South Point wind farm

The Kamaoa Wind Farm consisted of thirty-seven Mitsubishi 250 kW wind turbines with an operationally typical total peak output of 7.5 MW. As of 2006 the turbines were falling into disrepair, and they were finally shut down on August 15, 2006. At the end of August 2006, components for a new set of wind turbines were transported to South Point - the Pakini Nui project consists of 14 General Electric wind turbines constructed about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from the old Kamaoa wind farm. Completed in April 2007, Pakini Nui supplies up to 20.5 MW of power to the island electricity grid. At late 2006 levels, this would be about 6.5% of the total 300 MW Big Island electricity supply.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Kaʻu. Coffee Times.
  2. ^ Marine Debris Removal from the Waiohinu-Ka Lae Coast Hawaii Island. Marine Debris Program. NOAA (September 18, 2006).
  3. ^ Ka Lae, Ka'u, Kailua-Kona. Kailua-Kona Travel Guide. Virtual Tourist (October 5, 2002).
  4. ^ Bendure, Glenda; Friary, Ned (September 1997). "Hawaii — The Big Island", Hawaii, 4th ed., Australia: Lonely Planet, 327–28. ISBN 0-86442-489-2. 

[edit] External links

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