A Beach, a Lava Flow, and an Old Road: Archaeological Research on the Island of Hawai'i, 1995-1997

Abstract

Between 1995 and 1997, the author and students at the University of Hawai'i­Hilo (UHH) carried out three field projects on Hawai'i Island. In 1995, we con­ducted test excavations at a habitation site at 'Anaeho'omalu Bay. In 1996, we conducted a reconnaissance survey around the perimeters of two anchialine ponds near Pueo Bay in the ahupua'a of Pu'uanahulu in North Kona. In 1997, we car­ried out a reconnaissance survey along a portion of the Old Government Road in the ahupua'a of Kea'au in Puna. All of these projects consisted of preliminary field investigations of historic properties coupled with accompanying historical and documentary research. While detailed site descriptions will not be presented here (due to landowners' and agencies' concerns over site security), we offer some pre­liminary findings and make suggestions for future research in each case. More detailed site information may be obtained from project reports on file at the State Historic Preservation Division (Lass 1995, 1996 & 1997).