A pedagogical approach to indigenous community-based archaeology in Hawai‘i: The north shore field school

Abstract

ABSTRACTBecause Indigenous community-based archaeology in Hawai‘i is in its infancy, compared to other areas of the world, we decided to develop a pedagogical approach for the North Shore Field School that would foreground local cultural imperatives in tandem with the values of higher education. Engaging the local community in an archaeology that honours Hawaiian history and heritage was a major objective of our field school, as was our effort to train university students in research techniques. The focus of our field school on an ancient Hawaiian heiau (religious temple) was risky due to its profound cultural significance. Importantly, our early and frequent consultation with the community – along with the practice of cultural protocols that we created for the field school – facilitated its implementation. The field school was a life-changing experience for several students who are now developing careers in archaeology and heritage management or pursuing graduate degrees.