UH Hilo students and faculty present their research at professional Hawaiian archaeology conference; anthro major brings home award

Keonekai Rabara, a double major in anthropology and Hawaiian studies, won the Student Presentation Award for his video showcasing his archeological research.

Group gathers for photo, students and two faculty members. At front kneeling is winner of the student video award.
Group of students and faculty at the Society for Hawaiian Archaeology’s professional conference held Oct. 18-20, 2024, on Maui. At front is Keonekai Rabara who won the Student Award for his presentation. Back row, from left Peter Mills, Bethany Okamoto, Kyla Kauhaihao, Emma Tanigawa, David Cooper-Moussa, Hōkū Brown, Jermy Uowolo, Torri Law, Carol Ann Carl, and Joe Genz. (Courtesy photo Dept. of Anthropology/UH Hilo)

By Susan Enright.

Logo: SHA Society for Hawaiian Archeology.A group of students and faculty from University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo presented their research projects at the 2024 Society for Hawaiian Archaeology professional conference held Oct. 18-20 on Maui.

Student Presentation Award: Keinekai Rabara

Anthropology student Keonekai Rabara won the Student Presentation Award for his video showcasing his project, “Research at the UH Hilo Geoarchaeology Laboratory: Puʻuwaʻawaʻa Volcanic Glass and Non-destructive EDXRF.” The Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometer, commonly called the EDXRF machine, analyzes groups of elements simultaneously without destroying the sample; it’s housed at UH Hilo’s Geoarchaeology Laboratory.

Rabara is a first-generation student of Native Hawaiian, Filipino, and Portuguese ancestry who grew up on Maui, graduated from Kamehameha Schools and received his associate’s degree from Maui College. Now at UH Hilo he’s an undergraduate double majoring in anthropology and Hawaiian studies with a minor in history and certificates in Indigenous public health and Pacific Islands studies.

In his research, Rabara used the EDXRF machine to study the geochemical compositions of Hawaiian stone tools, such as basalt adzes and volcanic glass cutting tools from Puʻuwaʻawaʻa, an area located in North Kona, Hawaiʻi Island. His purpose is to better understand ancestral Hawaiians’ transportation of stone resources.

Rabara highlights the role of anthropology in preserving cultural knowledge and practices. He says a focus on volcanic glass tools and quarry distribution can bring “a better understanding of the mobility and connections of kūpuna (ancestors) beyond the boundaries of their ahupuaʻa (land division).”

“More Indigenous participation in the field will encourage more culturally appropriate kinds of scientific study,” he adds.

In addition to delivering the award-winning presentation, Rebara says he also enjoyed networking at the conference.

“The conference was a great way to network with individuals who did an amazing job representing their communities from all across of ka pae ʻāina o Hawaiʻi [Hawaiian islands] and the greater Pacific. I enjoyed the many presentations sharing great archaeological/anthropological work, and it was great to see a whole lot of work that promoted cultural preservation by working on the land and working with the community. It was an overall great experience to see what’s going on across this place we all love.” —Keonekai Rabara

Rabara attended the conference with a large group of UH Hilo students and faculty who also presented their research.

More presentations

Three women at the podium with a large slide show up on the screen behind them.
From left, UH Hilo students Bethany Okamoto, Hōkū Brown, and Torri Law present their work on “Solidarity for Cultural Survival: Storied Traditions from Keaukaha and Panaʻewa on Land and Food Sovereignty in a Changing Climate.” (Photo: Dept of Anthropology/UH Hilo)
  • Torri Law, Bethany Okamoto, and Hōkū Brown: “Solidarity for Cultural Survival: Storied Traditions from Keaukaha and Panaʻewa on Land and Food Sovereignty in a Changing Climate.” Okamoto and Brown are undergraduates, supported by the Keaholoa STEM Scholars program.

“Being that I’m not an anthropology major, I didn’t know how this experience would go. Looking back I’m appreciative of this experience as it, taught me not only a lot about the field of anthropology itself but the projects taking place in both Hawaiʻi and broader Oceania.” —Hōkū Brown

  • David Cooper, Kyla-Marie Kauhaihao, Torri Law, Emma Tanigawa, and Jermy Uowolo, with Professor of Anthropology Joe Genz: “Oral Histories with Stewards of Ulu Mau Puanui, North Kohala.” These five graduate students in the heritage management program based their presentation on work done in an oral history research course.

“This was an awesome experience, and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and share knowledge. I really enjoyed everything from the Haleakalā summit huakaiʻi to the presentations and conversations I had with other students and with some of the legends of the discipline, including Dr. Patrick Kirch, wow!” —Jermy Uowolo

  • Jermy Uowolo and Nathan Fagolmwai: “Remathau (People of the Sea): Exploring Ancestral Seafaring Knowledge for Post-Disaster Community Resilience.” Fagolmwai is an undergraduate supported by the UH Hilo Keaholoa STEM Scholars program.
  • Carol Ann Carl: “Seiseiwei (Paddle Onward): Navigating Ancestral Seafaring Knowledge in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia.” Carl is a UH Mānoa student partnering with UH Hilo students Jermy Uowolo and Torri Law.
  • David Cooper-Moussa: “Suʻesuʻe o se Fale (In Search of Home): Tama Uli Identity in Relation to Place, Aʻele, Sāmoa”

“Sharing my work with professionals and peers was a great opportunity to get feedback and connect with others in my field. I’m really grateful for the support from my professors in preparing me for this experience, which has opened doors for future collaborations.” —David Cooper-Mousa

  • Professor of Anthropology Peter Mills, Professor of Geology Steven Lundblad, Colsen Balai, Leiokekoʻolani Brown, Rylee Clark, Ty DeSa, Laura Dowsett, Raelyn Pisco-Ekhert, Brianna Ernst, Hōkū Fukuoka, Keala Martins-Keliʻihoʻomal: “Back-burner Lab Work: A Report on the Completion of EDXRF Lithic Analyses on the Barrera Collections.” This is a collaborative project with UH Hilo faculty and several former students.
  • Associate Professor of Anthropology Kathleen Kawelu: “Our Persistent Kuleana and Commitment to Mālama ʻĀina”
Group poses for photo with crater in background.
The UH Hilo group with other conference attendees go on huakaʻi (field trip) near the summit of Haleakalā at Pā Kaʻoao while on Maui for the Society for Hawaiian Archaeology’s professional conference. (Photo: Dept. of Anthropology/UH Hilo)

Story by Susan Enright, a public information specialist for the Office of the Chancellor and editor of UH Hilo Stories. She received her bachelor of arts in English and certificate in women’s studies from UH Hilo.

Share this story