Learn about island civilization of ancient Hawaii
Learn about island civilization of ancient Hawaii
In his latest book, “A Shark Going Inland Is My Chief,” archaeologist Patrick V. Kirch brings to bear more than four decades of research to trace the fascinating history of Hawaiian culture from the time of the first Polynesian arrival about 1,000 years ago.
On Monday, Oct. 22, at 7 p.m. at the Lyman Museum, Kirch will present the main points of his book, copies of which will be available for purchase that evening from the Museum Shop.
Kirch tracks the ultimate origins of the Hawaiians and other Polynesians back to the shores of the South China Sea, and follows their voyages of discovery across the vast Pacific. He shows how the early Polynesian settlers of Hawaii adapted to their new island home, transforming it into a highly productive agricultural landscape.
As their power continued to grow, the chiefs became gods who walked the land, invoking comparison with the fearsome tiger shark.
Integrating Native Hawaiian oral traditions with archaeological evidence, Kirch puts a human face on the gradual rise to power of the Hawaiian god-kings, who by the late 18th century were locked in a series of wars for ultimate control of the entire archipelago.
Admission is $3, with seating limited to 65 persons on a first-come, first-seated basis. Additional parking is available at Hilo Union School. For additional information, call 935-5021 or visit www.lymanmuseum.org.