Kawela

This site is famous as a battleground and as a place of refuge. Kamehameha the Great shed rivers of blood in Kawela in order to capture the island as part of a larger assault on O'ahu. He then camped in the field for many months, planning his campaign. Near the old battlefield is an ancient temple of refuge. These were common in old Hawai'i; fugitives and defeated soldiers could find safety in them. The refuge is located on a ridge in between two gulches.