From the capital at Leluh, they ruled the island with a monarchy that archaeologists believe was similar to the kingdoms of Tonga or Hawaii.

Housing regrouped the king, his family, the high and low aristocracy and of course the commoner population.

The materials used for the construction of housing depended on social class, as did the spatial situation of the people: in the center the King and the aristocracy behind high walls of basalt (similar to those of Nan Madol), to the west, the lower aristocracy in modest houses of coral, and the rest of the population in simple huts.

At the time of European contact, the population of Kosrae was estimated at 6,000 persons; it dropped to 200 in 1870.

The site was listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places in 1983.