Hōʻale Ka Lepo Pōpolo: The Sociopolitical Evolution of Molokaʻi, Hawaiʻi, An Ethnohistoric-Archaeological Study of the Manawai Heiau Complex
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2024
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In recent decades, archaeologists have made significant strides in unraveling the intricate processes that contributed to the development of the ancient Hawaiian society. This study delves into Molokaʻi’s sociopolitical evolution, an island whose significance has often been overlooked within the broader narrative of the archipelago’s complex history. Through a comparative analysis of ethnohistoric records, archaeological correlates, moʻolelo (oral traditions), and moʻokūʻauhau (genealogies), this research constructs a chronological account of Molokaʻi’s ancient past. Furthermore, this research investigates the role of religion and ideology as proxies of societal evolution through the archaeological and ethnohistorical analysis of the Manawai Heiau Complex, a temple cluster located on the eastern end of the island. By examining these interconnected series of events, social dynamics, ideological beliefs, and environmental influences that have shaped the island’s development, this study illuminates the nuanced tempo of political change on Molokaʻi. From A.D. 1244 to 1670, the island’s sociopolitical evolution unfolded gradually, reflecting long-term societal transformations. While these transformations were marked by distinct periods and characterized by shifts in the political landscape, they nevertheless occurred steadily over time. This trajectory, however, was disrupted between A.D. 1670 and 1710 when the island experienced abrupt shifts in governance structures and power dynamics. These punctuated bursts led to a period of conflict, resistance, and ultimately, the annexation of Molokaʻi by its larger neighboring islands. The analysis of these events and the preceding circumstances, as presented in this study, contributes to a more holistic discussion of social complexity and the emergence of archaic states in Hawaiʻi.
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Archaeology, Hawaii, Heiau, Manawai, Molokai, Social Complexty
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312 pages
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