Ki'ilae is not believed to be an ancient village. It is more likely a transition between ancient and modern times in Hawaii. These conclusions were drawn based on the archaeological excavations in the area of artifacts, house types, and grave sites. The history of Ki'ilae could extend as far back as the late 1700s. Over time, the local economy and the lives of the people changed. On this part of the coast, the lack of a ready water supply, transportation difficulties, problems raising garden products, and the lack of shipping and trading locations combined to drastically slow development.