Hawai‘i Indigenous Archaeology Field School

Location: Kings Trail access path, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA

Season: August 1, 2021 to August 21, 2021

Session Dates: One three week session

Application Deadline: June 18, 2020

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: https://foothill.edu/anthropology/field/hawaii.html

Discount for AIA members: none

Program Type:
Field School, Volunteer, Staff Position

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
Stanford University and Foothill College

Project Director:
Michael Wilcox (Stanford University) and Samuel Connell (Foothill College)

Project Description:

Come to Hawaii and experience a field school like none other.  You will live on the Big Island for three weeks. You will be exposed to a new way of thinking mixing an applied anthropological and an archaeological field school. Join us on the ground for the first of many years in Hawaii.  This summer we are researching and learning at two places on Hawaii.  Kaloko Fishpond on the Kona coast which is jointly administered by the National Park Service and native Hawaiian cultural groups; and Hamakua on the northern slopes of  Mauna Kea volcano.

This is a project that practices Community Based Participatory Research meaning that we ask people who live in Hawaii what they want us and you (the students) to do. If it’s helping clean, rebuild, and map a royal Hawaiian fishpond, then we do it; if it’s organizing an exhibit at the school, then we are working at the school; if it’s protecting the Mauna, then we are protecting the Mauna.  In other words, our field program is a fluid experience employing concepts of applied anthropology and service learning as we begin our research on this important landscape.

We are professors Mike Wilcox and Sam Connell, and we are just as excited as our students to get this program off and running in Hawaii. The idea here is to do research in a pono or Hawaiian way, meaning we will live and breathe local thinking as we learn about the life and history of these amazing islands.  The team of people from whom you will learn is going to be growing over the next months, but let us start by introducing our two main contributors, Ruth Luka Aluoa and No’eau Peralto, both of whom are expert cultural practitioners who have thought long and hard about the best way to teach about Hawaii and also study her history and people.  We are so excited to be working with them and bringing you along for the ride.

What does this all mean for you the student?  Well you get over 60 years of field experience working on field projects with over 500 students in Ecuador, Belize, Ireland, California and New Mexico.  The move to Hawaii will be exciting. The aloha spirit is truly special and we can’t wait for you to become a part of it. Come to the islands, earn credits, and begin helping us study the culture and society of Hawaii over time.

Students will likely live a week or so in various locales, including the small town of Honokaa among other places. We think it is important to base in a community and meet the people as we begin to understand the local life. We are taking as a model what we have been doing in Ireland and Ecuador, so check the links for past examples.

Period(s) of Occupation: PreContact, Postcontact Hawaiian periods including historic and modern.

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Age: 18

Experience Required: None

Room and Board Arrangements:
Students stay in an old fashioned hotel located in Honoka'a, Hawaii and a group lodging situation in Kona coffee country. Food and transport is taken care of once you are in Hawaii. If you have any questions do not hesitate to email us!

Academic Credit:
You are required to enroll in these courses for total 8 units (2 full courses) for the 3 weeks. You will be able to enroll in these courses at the end of May or early June through Foothill College. Head over to Foothill Anthropology website for much more info. ANTH 12 Applied Anthropology (4 units) ANTH 17L Archaeology Laboratory (2 units) ANTH 51 Archaeology Survey Methods (2 units) However, there are optional extra courses if needed ANTH 70R-73R Independent Study (1-4 units)