NEWS & ARCHIVES

Thursday, November 5, 2009

The Other SHA Conference (Society for Historical Archaeology)

Society for Historical Archaeology
2010 Conference on Historical and Underwater Archaeology
January 6-9, 2010
Amelia Island Plantation, Amelia Island, Florida
For conference information, please visit the SHA website at www.sha.org or
contact the SHA at hq@sha.org.

As an attendee and presenter at this conference, I am very excited
about the lineup of presenters, field trips, and workshops that will
be offered. I hope you will share the announcement for this year's
annual conference for others to join in!
Sincerely,
Brenda Hornsby Heindl
--
Lois F. McNeil Fellow
Winterthur Program in American Material Culture

Academic Programs Department
Winterthur Museum & Country Estate
781.864.6695

Monday, October 26, 2009

Mahalo to everyone who contributed to this year's Society for Hawaiian Archaeology conference. Notes to Tom Dye's ethics talk are posted below; feel free to comment.

1 Intro

1.1 Panels on ethics are sometimes about deciding how to phrase an ethical principle

1.2 I want to do something different

I want to start with a statement that sets out what I believe to ba a core ethical principle for archaeologists practicing in Hawai`i today.
Then I want to ask the question, what is the ethical response of an archaeologist when the state negotiates and supports a plan that violates this principle?
I'd like to do this in the context of the situation at Kawaiaha`o Church.
As a matter of disclosure, you should know that I have been retained as an expert by a plaintiff in one of the lawsuits that have been filed against Kawaiaha`o Church and the State. But I have not been and will not be be paid to prepare or deliver this talk today. The opinions expressed are mine alone.
The story I am going to tell you this afternoon is about one of us who actually had to choose what to do in this situation, and who made what I believe to be the wrong choice.
But my comments are not really about this one instance. They have to do with my sense that we, as a discipline, have over the years inched closer and closer to a place where this kind of choice could be thrust on any one of us.
I am speaking about this issue here today, because I believe SHA's role should be to provide a space for us to come to consensus on whether or not we, as a discipline, support native Hawaiian stewardship of traditional cultural resources

2 The Ethic

The ethical principle that I want to assert comes from the revised code of ethics that was presented to the membership at its last annual meeting in Hilo.
Archaeologists should promote native Hawaiian stewardship of traditional cultural resources
This principle is perfectly attuned to the preservation ethic to which we all subscribe now—we've all agreed to promote stewardship of cultural resources.
Promoting native Hawaiian stewardship of cultural resources also speaks to the CRM premise that historic properties be evaluated according to contemporary local standards—traditional cultural resources, and especially burials, are a matter of great concern for the native Hawaiian community today.

3 Kawaiaha`o Church

Let's be clear that what happened at Kawaiaha`o Church did not promote native Hawaiian stewardship of cultural resources
69 coffin burials were removed from their final resting places in the well-known and actively maintained cemetery at Kawaiaha`o Church as inadvertent discoveries under the state's burial law, apparently without the knowledge and consent of the families whose ancestors were removed

3.1 Burials in Hawai`i are removed following one of three bureaucratic paths

The paths have different levels of public involvement

3.1.1 State Department of Health, Dept. Commerce and Consumer Affairs

This is the path that I believe should have been followed
Burials in known, actively maintained cemeteries
Permit from Director of DOH needed to remove an individual from a cemetery grave.
It would also be necessary to disestablish a portion of the cemetery. HRS 441-15. This is a judicial proceeding in circuit court, with a notice of hearing published once a week for at least three consecutive weeks in a daily newspaper of general circulation

3.1.2 DLNR, previously identified burial

For reasons I don't find convincing, the matter ended up in DLNR
Once there the burials should have been handled as previously identified
All of the coffins were in burial plots of known families whose boundaries are known with survey grade accuracy from a map prepared in 1912 by the firm of Baldwin and Alexander.
It is the case that cemetery records are incomplete and that it is not possible to know where all the individual burials are in the cemetery, nor to be certain that only members of one family are buried there.
This is, in part, because grave markers were often made of wood, and these have now disintegrated.
But this interpretation of "previously identified" as consisting of only known individuals with headstones is impossibly narrow.
The burial law was written to extend the protections afforded burials in cemeteries to unmarked graves outside cemeteries.
This narrow interpretation runs completely counter to the intent of the burial law.
It is also profoundly Western and un-Hawaiian in its insistence on the primacy of the individual over the family
If the state had followed this path, the burial council would decide to preserve in place or relocate with input from descendants

3.1.3 DLNR, inadvertently discovered burial

Department makes decisions on treatment
Neither the burial council nor the descendants have to be consulted

4 The State

4.1 Should have been DOH

The original determination that this wasn't a matter for DOH is wrong
The state is now calling for DOH involvement

4.2 DLNR originally called for inventory survey

This was supported by the archaeologist, who had recommended inventory survey based on an earlier survey in a corner of the cemetery that now falls in a different tax parcel, where he showed that he could identify graves without disturbing coffins or bones

4.3 DLNR reversed its determination

This step ensured that no burials would be previously identified

5 What should the archaeologist do?

5.1 Was it ethically correct to bow to the "wisdom" of SHPD?

Remove 69 coffin burials as inadvertent discoveries from the cemetery burial plots of known families, as happened

5.2 Or, should the archaeologist have refused to go along with this plan?

Insist, instead, on a plan that promoted native Hawaiian stewardship of cultural resources

5.3 SHA has two opportunities at this juncture

First, is to speak out on this issue, so the community knows that we either promote native Hawaiian stewardship of cultural resources or we do not
Second, is to take some time to reflect on our own practices, so that we can better understand how our discipline came to the place that something like Kawaiaha`o Church could happen.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Roger C. Green, 1932 - 2009

Renowned Pacific archaeologist and anthropologist Roger C. Green, a former Bishop Museum staff member and University of Hawaii professor, died on Sunday, October 4th at his home in Auckland, New Zealand.

Read the Star Bulletin article.

For any within the SHA community who might like to share memories of Roger, they are kindly encouraged to do so here.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Conference Registration and Payment Online

2009 SHA Conference Payment and Registration is now online at the following URL:

http://www.hawaiianarchaeology.org/2009_conference/payment.html

Make sure to A) submit your Conference Registration Form, also available on the above webpage, and B) submit payment via PayPal using the interface provided.

Alternatively, applications can be filled out and mailed in with a check.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Principal Investigator Job Opening

Principal Investigator, Pacific Region

Hawaii based

SEARCH is seeking a Principal Investigator to support multiple projects across the Pacific Region. Applicants should have: Ph.D. or MA in Anthropology (or related field) with an emphasis on Oceania research, ten years of regional archaeology experience, superior technical writing ability, command of Federal and DoD cultural resource law/regulations, and a demonstrated ability to lead major multidisciplinary projects. The position will be based out of the SEARCH office in Honolulu, Hawaii and will include travel across the region and to SEARCH offices in Florida and the eastern U.S.

SEARCH is an equal opportunity employer and a drug-free workplace. The position will be filled after the successful completion of a drug test and a criminal background check. Applicants should be United States citizens and able to receive government security clearances. Pay will be commensurate with experience.

In Word or as a PDF, please send a cover letter, resume, three references, a writing example, and dates of your availability to Bruce Nodine at Bruce@searchinc.com. SEARCH will treat all employment inquiries with discretion.

Check out our website at www.searchinc.com/careers for a listing of our benefits.

Project Director Job Opening

Project Director, Pacific Region

Hawaii based

SEARCH is seeking to immediately hire a Project Director to supervise projects primarily on Hawai’i (Oahu), but also across Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, Japan and the entire Pacific region to support various projects issued under multi-year DoD IDIQ contracts. This will be a full-time, salaried, senior-level position based out of the SEARCH office in Honolulu, Hawai’i.

SEARCH will be holding interviews for this position from September 21st through the 24th in Honolulu or via teleconference with off-island applicants.

Applicants should have a Ph.D. or M.A. Anthropology or a related field with an emphasis on Oceania research; superior technical writing ability; command of Federal and DoD cultural resource law/regulations; familiarity with DoD installation protocol; ability to travel across the Pacific region and the continental U.S.; superior project and client management skills, and a demonstrated ability to lead major multidisciplinary projects.

In Word or as a PDF, please send a cover letter, resume, three references, a writing example, salary expectations, and dates of your availability to Bruce Nodine via email to bruce@searchinc.com with a Cc: to James Pochurek at james@searchinc.com. A scheduled interview will be arranged for highly qualified applicants. SEARCH will treat all employment inquires with discretion.

Check out our website at www.searchinc.com/careers for a listing of our benefits.

Curation Director Job Opening

Curation Director, Pacific Region

Hawaii based

SEARCH is seeking to immediately hire a Pacific Region Curation Director to support two region-wide curation assessment studies, one across the Pacific Region (especially in Hawai’i, Guam, and Commonwealth of Northern Marianas) and the other across the continental United States. These multi-year studies are being conducted under several DoD IDIQ contracts. Additional general tasks include collections management, conservation, curation preparation, laboratory supervision, and public interpretation. This will be a full-time, salaried, senior-level position based out of the SEARCH office in Honolulu, Hawai’i.

SEARCH will be holding interviews for this position from September 21st through the 24th in Honolulu or via teleconference with off-island applicants.

Applicants should have a Ph.D. or M.A. in Museum Studies, Anthropology, or related field with an emphasis on Oceania research; vast experience with 36 CFR 79; superior technical writing ability; command of Federal and DoD cultural resource law/regulations; familiarity with DoD installation protocol; a demonstrated ability to analyze and evaluate existing collections; ability to travel across the Pacific region and the continental U.S., and have superior project and client management skills.

In Word or as a PDF, please send a cover letter, resume, three references, a writing example, salary expectations, and dates of your availability to Bruce Nodine via email to bruce@searchinc.com with a cc: to James Pochurek at james@searchinc.com. A scheduled interview will be arranged for highly qualified applicants. SEARCH will treat all employment inquires with discretion.

Check out our website at www.searchinc.com/careers for a listing of our benefits.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

2009 Conference Information

Aloha All -

We are well on our way for an outstanding 23rd annual Hawaiian Archaeology Conference, which is being co-sponsored by the University of Hawai'i, Department of Anthropology, which is celebrating 75 years of instruction. Attached are the preregistration form (hurry and save some bucks), a preliminary program, and a list of hotels that are providing deals for attendees (thanks to the UH Anthropology Department).

Registration

Preliminary Program

Hotel Specials

Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Look forward to seeing you all in October.

Paul

________________

Paul L. Cleghorn, Ph.D.

Principal and Senior Archaeologist

Pacific Legacy, Inc.

30 Aulike Street, Suite 301

Kailua, HI 96734

(o) 808-263-4800; (f) 808-263-4300

Friday, August 21, 2009

SHA Conference, 2009

The dates for the conference are:

October 23-25, 2009

Honolulu, O'ahu Island, Hawai'i

Details on the 75th anniversary celebration for the University of Hawai'i at Manoa's Department of Anthropology can be found here.

Check back here soon for more information about the conference.

Web redesign nearing completion

Welcome to the new SHA website! Your comments and suggestions are welcome. Please be aware that the posts included below are archived material, therefore their dates and times represent when added on the new website, and not their origin. Most should include their original date as well.

Hawai'i's Dynamic Built Environment or 'What is a site?'

Wednesday, March 14, 2001

7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Paki Conference Room

Bishop Museum, Honolulu, Hawaii

Dr. Thomas S. Dye (IARII) will speak on

"Hawai'i's dynamic built environment, or 'What is a site?'"

Evidence will be presented to support the thesis that many traditional Hawaiian stone features were used for short periods of tiime. Practical techniques for investigating feature use duration will be demonstrated. Implications of the dynamic built environment for cultural resources management investigations, settlement pattern studies, and reconstructions of pre-Contact population will be explored.

The UH-Manoa Archaeology Field School: Photographs and Memories Since 1950

Wednesday, November 14, 2001

Social Sciences Building, (UH-Manoa)

2424 Maile Way, Room 345

7:30 PM

James Bayman & Jo Lynn Gunness from the UH-Manoa Department of Anthropology willl reprise (with additions) the department's 2001 SHA Conference paper:

"The UH-Manoa Archaeology Field School: Photographs and Memories Since 1950."

This is an audience participation event. We would like to encourage the audience to ask questions, make comments, share memories & maybe even identify a few now-unknown souls in the many photographs that will be shown.

University of Hawai'i 2001 Field Season in the Marquesas Islands

Wednesday, March 13, 2002

7:30 P.M.

University of Hawai'i (Manoa)

Saunders Hall 345--(Saunders Hall was formerly known as Porteus Hall, and the Social Sciences Bldg.)

Robert Bollt, PhD. Candidate in anthropology at UH Manoa, will give a talk entitled "The University of Hawai'i 2001 Archaeological Field Season in the Marquesas Islands"

In Pursuit of Amelia Earhardt

Tuesday, April 9, 2002

7:30 P.M.

University of Hawai'i (Manoa)

Saunders Hall 345--(Saunders Hall was formerly known as Porteus Hall, and the Social Sciences Bldg.)

Dr. Thomas F. King will give a talk entitled "In Pursuit of Amelia Earhardt: Recent Historical Archaeology on Nukumaroro Atoll, Republic of Kiribati"

Between the Pali and the Sea

Wednesday, August 21, 2002

7:00 P.M.

University of Hawai'i (Manoa)

Saunders Hall 345--(Saunders Hall was formerly known as Porteus Hall, and the Social Sciences Bldg.)

"BETWEEN THE PALI AND THE SEA: A report on recent surveys in the Kalaupapa, National Historical Park, Moloka`i".

Mark McCoy, Anthropology Graduate Student at the University of California at Berkeley, will be speaking on his recent field work at Kalaupapa, Moloka`i.

Valley of the Golden Mummies

Lecture by:

Prof. Robert Littman and Prof. De Wolfe Miller (University of Hawai'i, Manoa)

Date: Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Place: Honolulu Academy of Arts, Doris Duke Theatre

In 1996 a major mummy field was discovered in the Bahariya Oasis in the Western Desert in Egypt. This site contains perhaps 10,000 mummies from the Greco-Roman period. It promises to be one of the most exciting new sites of the 21st century. Dr. Miller and Dr. Littman are studying the health and disease in this mummy population. This is part of a larger study of the Egyptian Mummy Project, which includes the mummies of the great pharaohs of Egypt. They will report on the site and their December 2002 expedition in Bahariya, and the Egyptian Mummy Project.

Dr. Miller is Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Hawaii. He has worked extensively in Egypt for the past 25 years on schistosomiasis and hepatitis C. Dr. Littman is a Professor of Classics at the University of Hawaii. He has written extensively on ancient medicine, and has excavated in Greece, Israel, and Egypt.

The lecture will be followed by a free champagne reception.

This lecture is co-sponsored by the following organizations:

Archaeological Institute of America, Hawaii Society

Honolulu Academy of Arts

University of Hawai'i

Society for Hawaiian Archaeology

2003 Newsletters

The Society for Hawaiian Archaeology's NEWSLETTER was published monthly during the academic year, September through June for several years. Members and supporting institutions received a copy of the Newsletter as a benefit of their membership. However, the Newsletter has been inactive for the last few years as a result of a shortage of contributions of items for publication.