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South Point Complex
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Rocky cliffs of Ka Lae
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| Location: | Big Island of Hawaii |
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| Nearest city: | Nā'ālehu |
| Governing body: | United States Coast Guard |
| NRHP Reference#: | 66000291[1] |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP: | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHLD: | December 29, 1962[2] |
Ka Lae (Hawaiian: the point), also known as South Point, is the southernmost point of the Big Island of Hawaii and of the 50 United States. The Ka Lae area is registered as a National Historic Landmark District under the name South Point Complex. The area is also known for its strong ocean currents and winds and is the home of a wind farm.
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The name for the southern tip of the island of Hawaiʻi comes from Ka Lae in the Hawaiian language which means "the point".[3] It is often spelled as one word, Kalae, or called South Point or South Cape.[4] 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.[5]
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.[6]
Ka Lae is accessible via South Point Road, a 20-mile (32 km) tarmac road leading from State Route 11 (Hawaii Belt Road), the turn off being about 7 miles (11 km) west of the village of Nāʻālehu and east of Ocean View, Hawaii. The strong winds cause some trees to become almost horizontal with their branches all growing in the same direction near the ground. The Kamaoa and Pakini Nui Wind Farms are located along the road, as well as the large shortwave radio antennas of World Harvest Radio International which used callsign KWHR until 2009.[7] A 13-meter parabolic antenna of the Universal Space Network of the Swedish Space Corporation.[8] A fork is at the end of the tarmac road, with one dirt road leading to Ka Lae and the other to Papakolea Beach, known for its green sand.
Ka Lae is the site of one of the earliest Hawaiian settlements, and it has one of the longest archaeological records on the islands.[9] It is generally thought 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 point of first landfall.[10] Ruins of an ancient Hawaiian temple (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.[11] Evidence suggests that people have been in the area since around A.D. 124.[2][5] It was excavated by the Bishop Museum.[12]
On March 5, 1906 a small lighthouse opened at the point. In 1908 about 10 acres (4.0 ha) were set aside for the United States Coast Guard to build a house for a keeper. At the request of William Tufts Brigham of the Bishop Museum, care was taken not to destroy the archaeological site. In 1929 a steel tower was built for the light, and in 1972 a new 32 foot (10m) concrete tower with solar power.[13][14]
A NOAA Weather Radio transmitter broadcasts weather reports from KBA99 with callsign WWG27 on 162.55 MHz.[15] A weather station also monitors wind speed.[16]
During World War II, the US Air Force built a landing strip called Morse Field on the point. After the war the airfield was closed in 1953.[17] In 1961 it was on the list of final sites to be considered by NASA to launch manned rockets to space. However, it was considered too remote.[18] From 1964 to 1965 a space tracking station was operated, and in 1979 as a missile launching site.[19] The low latitude of the location also made it (and nearby areas that are as remote) attractive as a site for private rocket launches, but these plans were dropped in the face of high costs and local opposition.[20]
In 1987 the Kamaoa Wind Farm began operation with thirty-seven Mitsubishi 250 kW wind turbines with an operationally typical total peak output of 7.5 MW.[21] By 2006 the turbines at 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 at , 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 of Hawaii Electric Light Company.[22] The wind farm is operated by Tawhiri Power, LLC. It is the southernmost wind farm in the United States.[23]
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