WKIP COHORT OF 2010 PROJECTS

---

BACK

 ‘Iolani Kauhane,  UH-HIP Intern​

Spatial Analysis of the Distribution of Outlying Features in the Vicinity of Ahu a ‘Umi

Project at Ahu a ‘Umi consisted of analyzing the spatial distribution of the outlying features surrounding Ahu a ‘Umi with in a 140 survey boundary that includes artifacts
and feature structures. The focus of my project is on the outlying features of Ahu a ‘Umi Heiau, which include c- shapes, a u-shape, alignments, artifact scatters, cairns, caves, enclosures, hearths, a modified outcrop, mounds, pāhoehoe pits, platforms, quarries, shrines, a trail, uprights, walls, and extraction stones. GIS maps aid in determining settlement patterns of the outlying features and can help address question such as 1) What features are found in the area?; 2) What is the spatial distribution of different kinds of features?; and 3) Is there zoning patterning of working activities in the area surrounding Ahu a ‘Umi?

 U‘ilani Macabio, UH-HIP Intern

Geochemical Analysis of Ahu a ‘Umi Basalt and Volcanic Glass

Project used the Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) to find the geochemical
composition of nā pōhaku (the rocks) of basalt and volcanic glass from Ahu a ‘Umi and
surrounding area. Ahu a ‘Umi is a place of sacredness and royalty built by ‘Umi a Līloa and his people of Hawai‘i Island, in the plateau of Hualālai, Mauna Loa, and Mauna Kea. My project analyzes the geochemical composition of basalt and volcanic glass of Ahu a ‘Umi and the surrounding area, so that we can better understand mo‘olelo about where the construction stones are from and to identify where nā po‘e kahiko procured their resources. The gathering and analyzing of the pōhaku was conducted using Hawaiian and modern knowledge, tools, and technology. One of
the modern technologies that I used for this analysis is EDXRF Energy Dispersive X-Ray
Fluorescence spectrum, a non-destructive and fast method of determining the geochemical
composition of pōhaku. I gathered 32 pōhaku, and two came from different volcanics that had
no relation to the others.

 Aoloa Santos, UH-HIP Intern​

Analysis of Ahu a ‘Umi's Structural Design: Construction Techniques and Architectural
Details

Project for Ahu a ‘Umi looked at the architectural and functional design of the main structure and the evolution from the original to its present state. Specifically, the changes that have occurred to the heiau and surrounding ahu over time and why and how these changes were made.​

​ I will focus on change through time in the structural design of Ahu a ‘Umi with an emphasis on
its architectural details and the engineering choices apparent in its construction. The maps and
photographs from our fieldwork help establish the current state of the structure and the variations
in construction techniques in different parts of the heiau. I will also compare the architectural
details with early historical representations of Ahu a ‘Umi, as drawn by Wilkes (1871) and

Baker (1917). We can identify changes to the heiau from these early maps, one of which was
drawn before the structure was altered for use as a goat pen in the late nineteenth/early twentieth
century.

Kaimi Wilson, UH-HIP Intern​

Analysis of C-Shaped Structures Associated with Ahu a ‘Umi

My project focuses on the analysis of c-shaped structures in the vicinity of Ahu a ‘Umi Heiau
and how they relate to the heiau. C-shapes are the predominant archaeological feature within our
140-acre survey area. A total of 263 features were found, with 50 features being classified as c-
shapes.

BACK