Ka Lae
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The
actual place where Polynesians landed will always remain a mystery,
but it was likely somewhere near the southern tip of the Big Island.
This area seems like a probable place because their approach would
have been from the south, where all of Polynesia lay. When sailing
north, the Big Island would be the first island they would have seen,
and South Point would have been the nearest landfall. Aside from the
logic of such a choice, there is archaeological evidence supporting
the supposition of a landing near Ka Lae, as the Hawaiians call the
most southern tip of the island of Hawaii. Excavation of lava tubes,
that were used as shelters, near Kailikii and Waiahukuni, villages
four miles northwest of the Ka Lae, indicate people were using them
by A.D.750. There is other evidence that indicates people first were
in the area as early as A.D. 200.