Society for Hawaiian Archaeology

04/30/2026

Aloha All,

A draft of the Statewide Historic Preservation Plan (2026-2034) is now available at this website: https://www.hawaiipreservationplan.com/engage.

In addition to the draft plan there are two supporting documents: Appendix A (a summary of public scoping & input) and Appendix B (a draft budget for implementing elements of the plan).

Public comments will be accepted through May 29, 2026. You may submit comments through the public meeting process (below) or via the form on the website.

Public meetings will be held statewide throughout May that will provide the public with opportunities to comment in person or virtually on the draft plan. These comments will be consolidated and considered in the finalization of the plan. A request was sent to all certified local government county bodies, all island burial councils, and the state historic preservation review board with a request to place the draft plan on their upcoming agenda. The list below reflects the bodies that accepted that invitation. This list will be updated should additional bodies respond to the request.

May 6, Wednesday, 9:30 a.m.
Hawai‘i Island Burial Council (HIBC) (online and in person)

May 13, Wednesday, 10:00 a.m.
O‘ahu Island Burial Council (OIBC) (online and in person)

May 15, Friday. 9:30 a.m.
State Historic Review Board (online and in person)

May 21, Thursday 1:00 p.m. (TBC)
Kaua‘i Historic Preservation Commission (KHPC) (in person)

May 25, Monday, 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Virtual Public Meeting

May 26, Tuesday, 12:00 p.m.
O‘ahu Historic Preservation Commission (OHPC)

May 27, Tuesday, 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Virtual Public Meeting

May 28, Wednesday, 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Virtual Public Meeting

01/17/2026

Aloha All,
In advance of the release of the Indigenous Collections Care Guide, the Gilcrease Museum in partnership with the School of American Research is sponsoring the Indigenous Collections Care (ICC) Speaker Series which will explores new frameworks for museum collections stewardship centered on Indigenous knowledge and values. For more information and to sign up for these FREE Zoom lectures, go this link:

Rethinking Collections Stewardship In partnership with the Indian Arts Research Center (IARC) at the School for Advanced Research and Gilcrease Museum, the Indigenous Collections Care (ICC) Speaker Series explores new frameworks for museum collections stewardship centered on Indigenous knowledge a...

11/11/2025

Aloha All, The State Historic Preservation Division is beginning the process of updating its Statewide Historic Preservation Plan for 2026-2031. All interested persons are encouraged to participate. A separate website has been set up with links to a survey and registration to participate in a focus group. You will need to complete the survey (by Dec 5) before registering for a focus group.

For more information and links to the plan website, please see the following announcement from Hawaii DLNR (Department of Land and Natural Resources):

JOSH GREEN, M.D. GOVERNOR DAWN CHANG CHAIRPERSON COMMUNITY INPUT SOUGHT FOR STATEWIDE HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLAN HONOLULU – DLNR’s State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) is beginning the process to update the […]

10/29/2025

Aloha All, Our colleagues at International Archaeological Research Institute, Inc. (IARII) are sponsoring two grant opportunities.

We are excited to announce two opportunities for funding: (1) Pacific Grant for Community-led Heritage Management, and (2) Pacific Archaeology Scholarship. Please help us spread the word. Mahalo!

Pacific Grant for Community-Led Heritage Management
International Archaeological Research Institute, Inc., (IARII) provides grant opportunities for community-led heritage management projects in the communities it serves -- Hawai‘i, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Solomon Islands. Up to $2,500 will be awarded to one or more successful applicants for 2026. The purpose of this grant is to provide funding for management or restoration of traditional structures and landscapes, workshops/trainings, documentation of oral histories, and associated community-led projects.

Pacific Archaeology Scholarship
International Archaeological Research Institute, Inc., (IARII) provides scholarship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to gain field and laboratory experience. One Pacific archaeology scholarship award is available for 2026. The purpose of this grant is to foster interest in Pacific archaeology and support professional development in cultural resource management.

See the attached flyers for more info and how to apply.

10/22/2025

Mahalo nui to everyone who made this year’s SHA conference a success, including our board of directors, planning committee, volunteers, speakers, huaka’i leaders, and those who sponsored and participated in the Keiki Poster Competition, among many others.

We also owe a huge mahalo to for graciously welcoming us into Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke’elikōlani. This is the third time UH Hilo has extended their generosity in allowing us the use this space, and this past weekend truly would not have been possible without their continued support.

Please also join us in congratulating this year’s award recipients 🥳
Cultural Stewardship: Mr. Keone Kalawe
Fellowship Award for Lifetime Achievement: Professor Peter R. Mills
Public Archaeology Award: Ms. Lokelani Brandt
Student Presentation Award: Lehiwahiwa Ritte

Incredible work by all, and mahalo to everyone who continues to strengthen and celebrate Hawai’i archaeology and the great community that supports it 🫶.

Reflecting on this year’s theme, ka manu kahea i ka wa’a e holo — the bird that calls the canoe to sail — we’re reminded of what guides us to the study of the past and how we continue to move forward together in strengthening our work within archaeology and wahi kūpuna stewardship.

10/21/2025

Many of our SHA conference attendees were incredibly fortunate to witness Kīlauea reach record-breaking heights this past Friday. What a weekend to remember 🌋!

More from our 37th annual conference coming soon.

10/18/2025

Drumroll, please 🥁!
Join us in congratulating the 1st Place Winner of the grade 6-12 Division in the 2025 Hawai’i Archaeology Week Keiki Poster Design Contest!

This talented young artist shared their creativity and passion for Hawai’i’s history with a truly outstanding design.

Grades 6-12 1st Place Winner 🎨
Congratulations: Wendy Cruz | grade 12 | Pāhala, Hawai’i Island

Mahalo to all the keiki who participated and to everyone who supported them this year!

10/18/2025

Drumroll, please 🥁!
Join us in congratulating the 1st Place Winner of the K-5 Division in the 2025 Hawai’i Archaeology Week Keiki Poster Design Contest!

This talented young artist shared their creativity and passion for Hawai’i’s history with a truly outstanding design.

K-5 1st Place Winner 🎨
Congratulations: Adam Isom | grade 5 | Pāpa’ikou, Hawai’i Island

Mahalo to all the keiki who participated and to everyone who supported them this year!

10/17/2025

A big congratulations to the 2nd place winner in the grades 6-12 division of the 2025 Hawai’i Archaeology Week Keiki Poster Design Contest! This poster features a stunning illustration inspired by Maka O Hule Heiau.

Grades 6-12 2nd Place 🎨
Congratulations: Yireh Kim | grade 11 | Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i Island

Mahalo to all who participated and helped make this year’s contest such a success!! 🥁Tomorrow we will be announcing the 1st place submissions, stay tuned!

10/17/2025

A big congratulations to the 2nd place winner in the K-5 division of the 2025 Hawai’i Archaeology Week Keiki Poster Design Contest! Incredible work!

K-5 2nd Place 🎨
Congratulations: Tatiana Tabac | grade 5 | Pepe’ekeo, Hawai’i Island

Mahalo to all who participated and helped make this year’s contest such a success!! 🥁Tomorrow we will be announcing the 1st place submissions, stay tuned!