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Kalaupapa National Historical Park
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After initial reconnaissance in 1985, the SRC returned to Kalaupapa to explore Kauhako Crater. The operation was joint-ventured with the U.S. Navy Mobile Diving Salvage Unit One, the U.S. Marine Corp helicopter base at Kaneohe and the National Geographic Society.
The team, wishing to avoid eroding the steep banks of the crater by trekking down with heavy equipment, used CH-46 helicopters from Kaneohe to lower Remote Operated Vehicles (ROV) and other equipment into the crater.
The ROV explored the crater to a depth greater than 550 feet. Water clarity, which was almost zero visibility at the surface, improved to nearly unlimited after a depth of 20 feet. The clear water was, for all intents and purposes, anaerobic. In addition, a temperature climb from 75 to 83 degrees Fahrenheit was noted as depth increased from the surface down to 21 feet. The sides of the crater were steep but had projections that might retain cultural material deposited from the rim. The surface of the crater is known to be one of the older documented occupation areas in the Hawaiian Islands. |
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| The project illustrated the potential for prehistoric archeological remains in the crater to be high but the potential for significant impact is low due to the remote nature of the area, thus reducing the urgency for additional research. Recommendations were made by the SRC to pursue archeological survey in the crater if future investigations could be done with minimal impact to indigenous vegetation on the sides of the crater. Further helicopter operations were too intrinsically dangerous to the flight crews and researchers. Although the operation was successful, the recommendation was made to pursue further research if access could be established by carrying the gear to the site rather than through airborne operations. |
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In 2000 natural resources oriented work coordinated by the park staff took place involving scuba diving. At this time it was determined that trees which had in the past been misidentified to the SRC as indigenous were found to be exotic and the management decision was made that scuba diving operations would, after all, be appropriate.
- July 2001 - Reconassiance of early 20th century shipwreck thought to be Kaala off the park's western peninsula, by NPS archeologist Jim Bradford, under the aegis of SRC.
- March 2000 Deep exploratory dives were made into the crater for natural resources purposes unassociated with SRCs archeological work in the 1980s. Leader for this operation was Michael Garman.
- 1988 Joint SRC, U.S. Navy Mobile Diving Salvage Unit One, U.S. Marine Corp helicopter base at Kaneohe and the National Geographic Society to explore Kauhako Crater. Daniel Lenihan, NPS-SRC, Commander David McCampbell, US Navy and Emory Kristof, National Geographic Magazine, Project Directors
- 1985 Assessment of Kauhako Crater for possible future cultural project and underwater examination of reciprocating steam engine off the western shore of the peninsula. Daniel Lenihan, SRC Archeologist.
References:
- Lenihan, Daniel J., 2002, Chapter 16 in Submerged: Adventures of Americas most Elite Underwater Archeology Team. Newmarket Press, NY. Distributed by Best Publishing.
- Maciolek, J. A., 1982 Lakes and Lake-like Waters of the Hawaiian Archipelago Occasional Papers of Bernice P. Bishop Museum, Honolulu, Hawaii, vol. XXV, # 1.
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Related Links
Kalaupapa National Historical Park
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