In the Field

Week Three

            We began our third week with the arrival of Don Froning, who came to help us with the water portion of our survey. The morning of the 19th, we took photos of a set of features surveyed the previous day. After lunch, we started with a sweeping survey of a section of water Don marked out for us. We were trying to find any features in the water that would be worth surveying as a site. Jessi discovered a large site that had many different features, including pipes and fasteners of different shapes and sizes.

            The next day, the 20th, we began our actual survey of the site with the pipes. We spent the morning waiting for the tide to rise and for Don and Suzanne to decide what objects we would actually trilaterate and map out, and also where we would divide the site. Don then split us up into two groups for the two fields of the site we would be mapping. Jessi, Ginger, and Jen we on one team, while Kelly, Concetta, and Holly were the other team.

            There was some confusion and problems with the teams colliding because of the strong current, even though we were only in chest high water, so we had to pace ourselves and be careful to not intrude on each other’s space. The surveying lasted about three hours, and it was very hard work. We were not feeling extremely excited about our work until we mapped it the next morning and saw what we had accomplished. Our maps and trilateration were done well, and we were all very proud of our work.

          The evening of the 20^th was also spent exploring the culture of Lana`i. Ginger, Kelly, and Jessi supported the Filipino community by attending the Miss Lana`i Filipina 2004 pageant. It was an incredible experience to see the true, contemporary culture of Lana`i.

            The afternoon of the 21^st, after mapping, we met up with a long time supporter of the maritime archaeology program and amateur historian Rick Rodgers. Cap'n Rick showed us some of the sites he has investigated during many years of research into the maritime history of Lana`i.  On the road to Naha we saw a Japanese shrine built next to a heiau, the old Lana`i Landing where the sugar mill used to be, and old boxcars and a steam engine that used to run for the sugar mill.

            We met up with the Cap’n the next day for an adventurous ride on a road to the Hawaiian village of Kaunolu, now an archaeological interpretive site. The road is known to be difficult to traverse, if not treacherous on some days, but we gamely attempted to reach the village.  Unfortunately this was not the day to drive to Kaunolu and we ended up turning around to save both the trucks and the passengers further discomfort. 

            After that adventure, we took a well-needed day off to snorkel at Manele or Hulopo`e Bay. The following day, we departed for O`ahu and were excited to be back.

Hiking back from our sites on Shipwreck Beach

Jessi (l) and Concetta returning to shore

A Day at the Beach with Jessi:

Aloha from Hawai`i! Our work here is so amazing, and I can't seem to get enough of it! Working along the beach is awesome, but is also difficult. The cuts and bruises on my legs can attest to how many times I've fallen. Since this is my first time doing any sort of maritime archaeology, my experiences so far have been invaluable. My favorite experience has to be when Concetta and I went into chest high water to get the GPS coordinates for a piece of wreckage. It was awesome to map something that big in the water! All in all, I couldn't ask for a more amazing place to work, or better people to work with! It has been so great to build new friendships, and learn so many new things. I am very excited to get back to O`ahu and start our work on the final report.

Jen (l) and Holly looking out at the ocean and neighboring island Moloka`i  from Garden of the Gods

Cap'n Rick showing us the old oxcart trail