In Their Own Voices: Contemporary Native Hawaiian and Archaeological Narratives about Hawaiian Archaeology

dc.contributor.authorKawelu, Kathleen
dc.date.accessioned2015-04-15T22:52:31Z
dc.date.available2015-04-15T22:52:31Z
dc.date.issued2014
dc.description.abstractArchaeology in Hawai‘i has reached the century mark, and public perception of the discipline as a marginal esoteric pursuit has changed to one that associates the practice with land development and colonialism. The sociopolitical climate surrounding archaeology in the Hawaiian Islands is charged, and controversial events have contributed to present-day tensions. However, to understand these tensions we must go beyond anecdotes. This article presents narratives about the sociopolitical history of Hawaiian archaeology as conveyed in ethnographic interviews with Native Hawaiians and archaeologists. Themes brought forth in these narratives include discussion about the persistence of a living Hawaiian culture and the varying degrees of archaeological commitment to that culture. Ultimately an approach is sought that emphasizes Native Hawaiian people and culture and reframes archaeology in a supporting role. Through such reframing, issues of the practical application of archaeologically constructed knowledge for descendant communities are addressed, and the capacity of the discipline to advocate for Native Hawaiian communities is increased. Changing the current trajectory of historic preservation in Hawai‘i to encompass a collaborative approach to cultural stewardship is necessary for the viability of the discipline as well as for the perpetuation of Hawaiian culture.
dc.format.extent32 pages
dc.identifier.citationKawelu, K. 2014. In Their Own Voices: Contemporary Native Hawaiian and Archaeological Narratives about Hawaiian Archaeology. The Contemporary Pacific 26 (1): 31-62.
dc.identifier.issn1043-898X
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10125/35802
dc.publisherUniversity of Hawai‘i Press
dc.publisherCenter for Pacific Islands Studies
dc.subjectHawai‘i
dc.subjectindigenous archaeology
dc.subjectpolitics of the past
dc.subjectethnography
dc.subject.lcshOceania -- Periodicals
dc.titleIn Their Own Voices: Contemporary Native Hawaiian and Archaeological Narratives about Hawaiian Archaeology
dc.typeArticle
dc.type.dcmiText

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