The public is invited to take a walk through time and learn how Hawaiians living in the shadow of Pele adapted to life on a lava landscape. From 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 31, archaeologist Jadelyn Moniz Nakamura leads the field seminar “Kealakomowaena: Life on a Lava Landscape” in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
The public is invited to take a walk through time and learn how Hawaiians living in the shadow of Pele adapted to life on a lava landscape. From 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 31, archaeologist Jadelyn Moniz Nakamura leads the field seminar “Kealakomowaena: Life on a Lava Landscape” in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
“See ancient trails, agricultural fields, lava rock walls and house sites as we explore the challenges life presented to those living in this leeward ahupuaa of the Puna district,” Nakamura said.
“We will discuss the latest radiocarbon data for the area, what the pollen and charcoal records have revealed, and why this seemingly barren place was likely chosen as a spot to farm,” she added.
Kealakomowaena is an island of vegetation, or kipuka, spared by recent lava flows in the middle of the Kealakomo ahupuaa (land division). Hawaiians thrived in this coastal lowland area, growing sweet potatoes, harvesting fish and drying salt.
Nakamura is the integrated resources manager/archaeologist at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Born and raised in Hilo, Nakamura holds a Bachelor of Arts in history and anthropology, a Master of Arts in anthropology, and a doctorate in archaeology, all from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Her research interests and specialties are pre-contact Hawaiian archaeology, specializing in faunal and paleoenvironmental analysis.
This field seminar is rated moderate, with approximately three miles of hiking round-trip on rough terrain with lots of tripping hazards. Hikers should be in good condition, and able to do without shade all day in a remote, rugged area.
This event is presented by the Hawaii Volcanoes Institute, a program of the Friends of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a nonprofit organization. Program cost is $45 for members and $65 for nonmembers. Students (K-12 and college with valid student ID) are half price. Nonmembers are welcome to join the organization in order to get the member discount.
To register for “Kealakomowaena: Life on a Lava Landscape,” call 985-7373 or visit fhvnp.org.
This program is funded in part by the County of Hawaii Department of Research and Development and the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or reasonable modification of policies and procedures to participate in this event should email institute@fhvnp.org or call 985-7373 as soon as possible, but no later than five days prior to the program start.