Sampling problems in regional interpretation in Hawaiian archaeology

Abstract

Interpretations in Hawaiian archaeology over the last 15 years have been concerned with settlement, agriculture, population size, and social organization. Several multiyear projects in the late 1960s and early 1970s yielded data leading to the first major interpretations on these topics. The best known of these projects were at Makaha on Oahu (Green 1969, 1970, 1980; Ladd and Yen 1972; Ladd 1973), Halawa on Molokai (Kirch 1970, 1971; Kirch and Kelly 1975) and Lapakahi on Hawaii (Pearson 1969; Newman 1970; Rosendahl 1972; Tuggle and Griffin 1973). Lesser known, but equally important projects occurred at PololuHonokane on Hawaii (Tuggle 1973, 1976, 1979; Tuggle and Tomonari-Tuggle 1980), Kaloko on Hawaii (Renger 1970, 1973; Cordy et al 1975; Tainter 1973, 1976; Cordy 1976, 1978a, 1981; Tainter and Cordy 1977), and in the valleys of Halelea District on Kauai (Earle 1973, 1978a). The data from these projects not only stimulated interpretations on local (ahupua'a) histories; they also stimulated discussions of more general problems island-wide settlement changes (Cordy 1974a), the development of irrigated agriculture (Earle 1973; Riley 1975), the development of complex societies (Cordy 1974a, 1974b, 1978a, 1981; Hommon 1976; Earle 1973, 1978a), and the relations between intensified agriculture, the development of complex societies and population growth (Tuggle 1973; Cordy 1974b; Hommon 1976; Earle 1973, 1978a).