---
My educational training has been half as an archaeologist and half as a historian (using oral histories, oral literature, and indigenous & foreign historical documents). And I have done art history work since I was an undergraduate. I view myself as a historian using material from multiple data sources.
Universities Attended:
Undergraduate
U. California at Davis: 1967-68 (Special Program for High School Seniors)
U. of Hawai‘i, Mānoa: Summer 1968, Jan.-May 1970
U. of California at Santa Barbara: Fall 1968-Fall 1969, Fall 1970-Fall 1971
Graduate
U. of Michigan, Ann Arbor: 1972-73
U. of Hawai‘i at Mānoa: 1973-78
Degrees
Ph.D. 1978 U. Hawai‘i Manoa. Anthropology (Archaeology)
M.A. 1973 U. Michigan. Anthropology (Archaeology)
A.B. 1971 U. California at Santa Barbara. Cultural Anthropology
(Archaeology)
Work Experience
The following employment history just covers high points of jobs. In all these jobs as well as my college years, I developed my research interests of working solely in Oceania. I have worked 50+ years in Hawai'i studying archaeology (seeing sites across most of the islands), studying oral histories, oral literature (sometimes labeled mythology), indigenous historical documents (notably Kingdom land records, Boundary Commission records, maps, but also looking at census and probate records), and foreign historical documents (early ship journals, missionary journals and records, etc.). I have worked for almost as long throughout much of Micronesia (doing archaeology, oral history, history, art history, & historic preservation work with local offices). I have done archaeological fieldwork in the Society Islands (two seasons on Huahine under Dr. Y. Sinoto of the Bishop Museum). I taught in New Zealand in 1981-2 on the South Island (U. of Otago) and North Island (U. of Auckland) seeing and learning about their archaeological work, historic sites, oral histories, museum issues, and historic preservation. And I have done archival work (oral history, indigenous & foreign historical documents, review of archaeological work) for most islands in Polynesia. Thus, my work experience unusually has spanned a vast area of Oceania. My research interest in the rise of kingdoms in Oceania enabled me to do such work often in my jobs. My historic preservation work has focused on having quality work done, seeing considerable site preservation (including burial protection), working with indigenous community groups, in Micronesia seeing highly qualified local individuals be involved in and heading historic preservation programs, and in Hawai'i attempting to move more Native Hawaiians up into higher positions in archaeological firms and historic preservation entities.
Employment Experience
1968-75. While a student in college worked as laborer, supervisor, & then Director (1970, when college sophomore) on various archaeological projects -- for University of Hawai'i at Manoa & Bishop Museum. Some of these were contract archaeology projects prior to development, while others focused on preservation issues.
1975-1977 while finishing up my PhD, owned private consulting firm doing work in Hawai'i.
1975-1976, while finishing up my PhD, I also taught Anthropology classes (usually 100 and 200 level) as a Lecturer for UH Manoa's Anthro Department and for Chaminade University.
1977, while finishing up my PhD, held temporary position as first archaeologist for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Ft. Shafter), Environmental Resources Section with a focus on historic preservation review issues.
Several months in 1978. Staff Archaeologist, Bishop Museum. Doing contract archaeology work.
Late 1978-1981. Staff Archaeologist, Historic Preservation Office, U.S. Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. I oversaw the several hundred thousand dollar survey grant program (issuing grants to different universities and private companies to do survey that was primarily research focused), did research work myself, traveled to and trained local Micronesian staff in Belau, Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae and Marshall Islands. The local offices often spent funds on what they viewed was important (building of meeting houses, canoes, one indigenous oral history). Work was focused for them to develop historic preservation as they saw fit, but also ensure historic sites were identified prior to development. Oversaw museum support. At this point, this was the strongest historic preservation office in the American Pacific -- the most successful research-oriented and highest funded office. But I also trained local offices, particularly in the Federated States of Micronesia for taking over full control of historic preservation programs after independence.
Part of 1981. Visiting Lecturer, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. Full time teaching with my focus on Polynesia and Micronesia. (Replaced faculty member on sabbatical, with arrangements made by Professors B. Foss Leach & Janet Davidson).
1982. Visiting Lecturer, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. Full time teaching with my focus on Polynesia, Micronesia, & historic preservation issues. (Replaced Roger Green, at his request, when he was on sabbatical.)
1982-1985. Owner, Consulting firm. Work in Hawai'i and Micronesia. The focus of the work was co-directing a multi-year research program on Kosrae with several hundred thousand in contracts and with multiple PhD co-workers and close coordination with the Kosrae Historic Preservation Office. My work with Teddy John, the Head of the Kosrae Historic Preservation program concluded with developing a museum for the local populace and working toward the preservation of the ruling center of Leluh (a stone-walled royal center of World Heritage caliber). The last of my consulting work included the directing of a project in Agana on Guam.
1985-86. Archaeologist for Hawai'i Island, Historic Preservation Division, State of Hawai'i. I oversaw review of contract archaeology projects on the island, often doing site checks, listening to community concerns, coordinating with state and county agencies. Started a focus on synthesizing work by region -- by moku or large portions of moku. Started a focus on seeing the best surviving examples of historic sites be preserved for the local public. When I started, virtually no sites were being preserved.
1987-2002. Branch Chief for Archaeology (aka State Archaeologist), State Historic Preservation Division, State of Hawai'i.
- Established, worked on, and presented general archaeological policy for the State of Hawai‘i.
- Oversaw multiple archaeology positions – 10-16 positions, ca. 5 of which were M.A. or Ph.D. with island archaeologists & assistants for most counties. The 1990s saw this program fully staffed, and it has not been since then.
- Oversaw all historic preservation reviews of federal, state and county undertakings statewide, including reviews initiating archaeological work and reviews evaluating adequacy of archaeological work and reporting. Archaeology staff produced 1,600-2,300 written reviews/yr.
- Established policy of close coordination with county officials.
- Initiated office work on and personally conducted regional syntheses statewide. I did district level syntheses for Hāmākua, Ka‘ū, and Kona on Hawai‘i Island and ‘Ewa, and Wai‘anae on O‘ahu.
- Presented public workshops, gave talks to schools and community.
- Established a curator program for Native Hawaiian groups to participate in site protection.
- Oversaw an archaeological survey program of Hawaiian Home Lands’ areas, providing preservation recommendations. A specific survey team under a PhD was devoted to DHHL work.
- Redirected office focus to preserving ca. 20% sites in development projects (vs. ca. 0% before), with many sites to be interpreted in a regional context with public access.
- Testified as expert witness and participated on panels on historic preservation legal issues.
- Drafted minimal standards for archaeological work (covering archaeological survey, salvage, preservation, professional standards). These established a higher quality of archaeological reporting and statewide consistency. The standards also required a background historical section, to predict prior to fieldwork the types of sites likely to be found.
- Established review process for historic preservation compliance. With consultation, particularly with Native Hawaiian groups and the public, drafted rules for this process that became the first rules for the program. Established a clear review process.
- Helped establish a traditional cultural significance category for sites that automatically included Native Hawaiian burials, major trails, and religious sites/structures.
- Did considerable work with different Hawaiian community groups spread across the islands.
- In 1997-98 started outreach work with Wai'anae High School's Hawaiian Studies program and community groups in teaching field archaeology in the back of Wai'anae.
1993-2002. In my off-hours, taught courses in Hawaiian history/archaeology, oral literature (mythology), field archaeology, and historic preservation at UH West O'ahu and UH Manoa.
2003-present. Full-time faculty in Hawaiian-Pacific Studies program, Humanities Division, UH West O'ahu. 102 total classes taught & 77 individual Senior Project/Practicum courses overseen. Senior faculty member in the program, and in Humanities. Chair of Humanities Division Fall 2006-Spring 2009, Fall 2012, Fall 2013-Summer 2014. Division with 19 1/2 faculty in 2014. Helped oversee the shift of Humanities' programs to 4-year programs when Chair. Have brought in community master craftspeople to teach classes -- e.g., kapa making. Besides teaching, I continue to work with Native Hawaiian community groups in Wai'anae (notably Ka'ala Farms) on protecting historic sites, taking huaka'i (tours) of the local public to historic sites (particularly in Nanakuli and Wai'anae valleys), teaching Wai'anae High Hawaiian Studies students in the field about archaeology, oral history and historic preservation issues. and working on the preservation of large historic preserves in the back of Nanakuli and Wai'anae valleys -- this community service work now having gone on for 25 years..
I typically teach 3 courses per semester. I currently rotate through 11 courses and have for the last 20 years. I also teach Senior Project/Practicum classes, and occasionally HUM 300.
HPST 304 -- Hawaiian-Pacific Traditions. Overview of Oceania (Australia, Melanesia, Micronesia & Polynesia) from initial settlement to present looking at pre-European history, cultures at European contact, early European contact and impacts, colonial control, and contemporary issues. This is one of HPST's two 300 level introductory classes.
HPST 461 -- Traditional Art of Hawai'i. Art history looking at art of the era of European Contact -- clothing, status ornaments, mats, fiber arts, image and container carving, and weapons (how they were used, who made them, how they were made, & styles). The class also looks at ownership issues and international museum collections. With visits to Bishop Museum's Ethnology collections, and visits to class by community master craftsmen/craftswomen.
HPST 462 -- Traditional Art of the Pacific. Focusing on Polynesia & Micronesia. Looking at clothing, status ornaments, architecture, mats, baskets & containers, image carving, weapons, ownership issues, international museum collections. With visits to the Bishop Museum's Ethnology collections.
HPST 437 -- Pacific Archaeology. This is a history class looking through disciplines of linguistics, archaeology, oral history, foreign and indigenous written documents, etc. It has a lecture on each major island group in Melanesia, Micronesia, & Polynesia looking at history up to the European Contact era.
HPST 471 -- Polynesia Before European Contact. This is a history class spending several lectures on different island groups (Tonga, Samoa, Marquesas, Society Islands, Tuamotus, Mangareva, Easter Island, Aotearoa, & Chathams) looking at history from settlement up to Contact using linguistics, archaeology, oral history, indigenous and foreign written documents, art history, oral literature (mythology), etc.
HPST 483 -- Archaeology of Hawai'i. This is a history class using info from linguistics, archaeology, oral history, oral literature (mythology), indigenous & foreign written documents, art history, Kingdom maps, etc. It covers from initial settlement up to the European Contact era.
HPST 380 -- Field Archaeology: Pre-European Times. This class has a lecture component focusing on archaeological field and lab techniques, ahupua'a settlement patterns on the Wai'anae side of the island, and historic preservation issues. The field component teaches students basic site identification, survey, mapping and test excavation approaches with the work done in the upper valley of Wai'anae. This fieldwork has been ongoing for about 25 years.
HPST 479 -- Hawaiian Mythology I. The classes focuses on oral literature of the pre-1870 era covering 150+ stories -- stories on gods, creation stories & genealogies, Pele stories (her family coming to the islands & local stories), Kamapua'a stories, Ku'ula & 'Ai'ai stories, and oral histories of the Kingdom of Hawai'i.
HPST 478 -- Hawaiian Mythology II. This is another class on oral literature of the pre-1870 era looking at over 150+ stories (different from HPST 479). Stories are on gods and 'aumakua (notably shark 'aumakua), Kamapua'a stories, the Pele and Hi'iaka story, Maui stories, Kahiki voyaging stories, & oral histories of the Kingdom of O'ahu.
HPST 477 Polynesian & Micronesian Mythology. This class focuses on oral literature of the traditional eras in Polynesia & Micronesia. It looks at over 150 stories. These include extensive creation stories and stories of gods for different island groups, stories of Polynesian culture heroes (Maui, Tahaki, & others) from different island groups, oral histories of the Saudeleur dynasty of Pohnpei, oral histories of the Tongan Kingdom, and oral histories of the Arawa tribe of Aotearoa.
HPST 495A: Research Methods: Hawaiian & Polynesian Warfare. This class teaches Hawaiian-Pacific Studies students research methods with the topic of focus being archival and being Hawaiian & Polynesian Warfare. Students are taught how to take notes & are graded on their notes. Research libraries are visited for students to know the holdings of different libraries and how to more easily access holdings. I give several lectures on warfare in Polynesia based on my prior research (on Hawaiian, Tuamotuan, and Easter Island or Mangarevan warfare). Students then choose different island groups and do research on different aspects of warfare, presenting their findings in class.
HPST 490/491 Senior Project/Senior Practicum. In Humanities these are individual student projects, and I have taught 77 students over the years. They have chosen a variety of topics of interest to them, and some have done practica in locations of interest to them -- all relevant to Hawaiian & Pacific Island Studies.
HUM 300 -- Humanities Seminar. I have taught this class 4 times since its inception. This class has Humanities faculty present their research work/creative work. I have had faculty submit 2 papers and their resume ahead of time, then do a presentation, and then have a lengthy informal question & answer period with the students. This has enabled the students to learn what our faculty do and often about their schooling and career backgrounds, which the students find fascinating.
I have been doing research on pre-European Hawaiian, Micronesian, and Polynesian history for over 50 years with a mixture of archaeological, oral historical, and indigenous & foreign written material, oral literature, and art historical data. I have 70+ scientific publications (including 35 articles/chapters, 15 monographs/books, and 2 pending books). Easily 50-100 manuscript technical papers. One of my main research interests has been the rise of kingdoms or complex societies in Oceania prior to European Contact. A few key publications are listed here.
1970. Piilanihale Heiau Project: Phase 1. Site Report. Department of Anthropology Reports, 70-9. Bishop Museum. (monograph) 25 pp.
1974. "Cultural adaptation and evolution in Hawaii: A suggested new sequence." Polynesian Society, 83(2):180-191. [the first synthesis of Hawaiian archaeology in c. 15 years.]
1974. "Complex-rank cultural systems in the Hawaiian Islands: Suggested explanations for their origin." Archaeology & Physical Anthropology in Oceania, 9(2):89-109.
1977. “Bellows Dune Site (Hawaiian Islands): New work and new interpretations.” Archaeology & Physical Anthropology in Oceania. 11(3):207-235. (Co-authored with H. David Tuggle).
1977 Kaneohe Bay urban water resources study: Cultural resources planning. U.S. Corps of Engineers, Fort Shafter, Honolulu. 82 pp. (monograph, limited publication). [historic preservation issues]
1977. "An archaeological analysis of social ranking and residence groups in prehistoric Hawaii". World Archaeology, 9(1):95-112. (co-authored w/Joseph Tainter).
1980. "Prehistoric archaeology in the Hawaiian Islands: Land units associated with social groups". J. Field Archaeology, 7:403-416. (co-authored w/Michael Kaschko).
1981 A Study of prehistoric social change: The development of complex societies in the Hawaiian Islands. Academic Press, New York. 274 pp. [book]
1984 "Sampling problems in regional interpretation in Hawaiian archaeology." Archaeology in Oceania, 19(1):21-28.
1985. "Settlement patterns of complex societies in the Pacific". New Zealand J. Archaeology, 7:159-182.
1985. “Investigations of Leluh’s stone ruins”. National Geographic Research. 1(2):255-263. [archaeological, oral historical, historical research done under a National Geographic grant, with a focus on Leluh which was the ruling center of the Kingdom of Kosrae.]
1986. Archaeological settlement pattern studies on Yap. Micronesian Archaeological Survey Reports, 16. Trust Territory Historic Preservation Office, Saipan. 150 pp. [monograph] [archaeological survey in multiple villages & interviews with elders recording several stories]
1986. "Relationships between the extent of social stratification & population in Micronesian polities at European contact." American Anthropologist. 88:136-142.
1992 An ahupua'a study: The 1971 Archaeological Work at Kaloko ahupua‘a, North Kona, Hawai‘i. Western Archaeological and Conservation Center Publications in Anthropology, 58. National Park Service. 633 pp. (co-authored w/Joseph Tainter, Robert Renger, Robert Hitchcock). (monograph).
1993 The Lelu Stone Ruins. Kosrae, Micronesia. Asian & Pacific Archaeology Series. Social Science Research Institute, Honolulu. 454 pp. (Monograph on part of first 3 years of work of Kosrae research program, written 1981.) [combination of archaeological, oral historical & historical research. Leluh again was the ruling center for the Kosraean Kingdom.]
1993. "Respect behavior on Kosrae: An ethnohistorical study". J. Pacific History, 96-108. [historical research]
1994. "Micronesian textiles: An introduction to the woven tol of Kosrae. Ars Textrina, 21:107-136. (co-authored w/sr author = Ann C. Deegan). [art history]
1994. A regional synthesis of Hāmākua District, Island of Hawai‘i. State Historic Preservation Division, Honolulu. 146 pp. [monograph] [combination archaeological, oral historical, Kingdom land records, other historical documents]
2000. “Comments on Pat Kirch’s Keynote Address to the 10th Society for Hawaiian Archaeology Conference: Thoughts from the Chaotic Midst of Hawaiian Archaeology.” Hawaiian Archaeology, 7. [historic preservation issues]
2000. Exalted sits the chief: The ancient history of Hawai‘’i Island. Mutual Publishing, Honolulu. [book] 464 pp. [first detailed overview of Hawai‘i Island’s pre-European history using archaeological, oral historical, and indigenous & foreign historical records]
2002. The rise and fall of the O‘ahu Kingdom: A brief overview of O‘ahu’s history. Mutual Publishing, Honolulu. [book] [first overview of O‘ahu Island's pre-European history, combining archaeological and oral historical information]
2002. An ancient history of Wai‘’anae: Ka moku o Wai‘anae: He mo’olelo o ka wa kahiko. Mutual Publishing, Honolulu. [book] 164 pp.
2003. “Who made the feather cloaks in the Hawaiian Islands? Some additional information.” Journal Polynesian Society 112(2):157-161.
2005 “Archaeological Work in Waipi‘o Valley, Hāmākua District, Hawai‘i Island.” Hawaiian Archaeology. 10:70-95. [Senior author – wrote article & direcrted fieldwork. Eric Komori & Kanalei Shun: junior authors, helped with fieldwork.] [Combination archaeology, Kingdom land records, etc. Waipi'o was one of the famed ruling centers of the Kingdom of Hawai'i.]
2007. “Reconstructing Hawaiian Population at European Contact – Three Regional Case Studies.” In P. Kirch and J-L.Rallu (eds), The Growth and Collapse of Pacific Island Societies: Archaeological and Demographic Perspectives, pp 108-128. UH Press, Honolulu.
2011 . A Traditional Cultural Property Study of Kūkaniloko: A Wahi Pana on the Central Plateau of O‘ahu. Its Uses Over Time, Its Importance to the Hawaiian Community, & Preservation Needs. 598 pp. Technical Report done for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. [Senior author with Kelley Uyeoka, Kehau Souza, Dominique Cordy, and Kulani Jones.] [This study involved archival, interview and archaeological research. I was preparer of the archival chapters on place names, on pre-European times for Kūkaniloko and its associated cultural landscapes, and on the 1800s, as well as primary author of several other chapters and co-author of most chapters, and preparer and senior editor of the report.] [Although this is a technical report, it is included here as this was a major 2+ year research topic with substantial research portions relevant to Hawaiian and O‘ahu island history & preservation issues.]
2012. “The Built Environment of Polynesian and Micronesian Stratified Societies in the Early Contact Period.” In C. Shammas (ed), Investing in the Early Modern Built Environment: Europeans, Asians, Settlers and Indigenous Societies. Brill Academic Publishers, Leiden. [looking at kingdoms in Tonga, Hawai'i, and Kosrae]
2012. Book Review: How Chiefs Became Kings: Divine Kingship and the Rise of Archaic States in Ancient Hawai‘i, by Patrick Kirch. The Historian, 74(2).
2013. Book Review: A Shark Coming Inland is My Chief: The Island Civilization of Ancient Hawai‘i, by Patrick Kirch. Cambridge Archaeological Journal, 23(3).
2017. Descriptions of Oceanic Cultures from the Vancouver Expedition of 1791-1795. Technical Report from UH Seed Grant 2015-2016. 96 pp. manuscript. [Senior author with Colin Cordy.] At least two parts of this manuscript will be submitted as articles to refereed journals within the near future.
2022. Book Review: Archaeology of Pacific Oceania: Inhabiting a Sea of Islands, by Mike Carson. American Antiquity.
2022 “The Leluh Royal Tombs & Pre-Contact Mortuary Patterns on Kosrae Island, Micronesia.” Micronesica, 2022-23:1-34. [historical & archaeological research]
complete & to be submitted for publication Book: O‘ahu’s Ancient History: The Land of Kūali‘i and Peleiōhōlani. [This will be the first detailed overview of O‘ahu Island’s pre-Kamehameha history using archaeological, oral historical, historical, art, and illustrative information, from settlement to the 1780s.] 622 pp manuscript.
complete & to be submitted “The Precontact & Early Historic Clothing of the Caroline Islands within Micronesia: Fibers of Banana & Hibiscus.” [Senior author; Ann C. Deegan = junior author]
complete & considering submission. “Warfare in the Tuamotus in the 1600s-1800s.” [historical research]
almost complete & to be submitted within the next year. Book co-authored with social anthropologist James Peoples (Ohio Wesleyan University). Island of the Tokosrah: An Anthropological History of Kosrae. [Kosrae is a high island in Micronesia that formed a kingdom prior to European Contact and is today a state within the Federated States of Micronesia. This is an overview of Kosrae’s history from settlement to the present, looking at a range of historical issues – the rise of the kingdom, post-Contact, depopulation, colonial control, independence, and modern diaspora concerns.] 300 or so pp manuscript.