Aboriginal Hawaiian Structural Remains and Settlement Patterns in the Upland Agricultural Zone at Lapakahi, Island of Hawai'i

Abstract

Over the last two decades archaeologists in Hawai'i have begun intensive investigations into the nature and patterns of aboriginal Hawaiian settlement and agricultural adaptations to the varied environmental settings of the Hawaiian Islands. Prior to 1968, Hawaiian archaeology was essentially descriptive in approach, with an overwhelming emphasis upon extensive site survey and the study of such specialized topics as heiau (aboriginal ceremonial sites) and petroglyphs (Newman 1968). The very few attempts at synthesis or interpretation dealt almost entirely with aspects of aboriginal marine resource exploitation. Perhaps the only archaeological attempt during this period to investigate aspects of an Hawaiian agricultural adaptation was Pearson's study of irrigated taro cultivation in Hanapepe Valley, Kaua'i (Pearson 1962, n.d.).