Radiocarbon Dates from an Upland Site of the Kona Field System, Hawai'i Island, Hawaii

Abstract

The following samples were excavated in July 1985 in an upland (elev 609 m) prehistoric agricultural site in the Kona Field System on the west coast of Hawai'i Island. 14C measurements were done by Beta Analytic Inc, Coral Gables, Florida. The samples were first carefully examined and picked for rootlets and any other non-contemporaneous carbonaceous materials. They were then subjected to an alternating series of hot acid and alkali solutions, interspersed with washings to neutrality with hot distilled water to eliminate carbonates and humic acids. After gentle drying the clean charcoal was benzene synthesized and counting of the 14C activity with a liquid scintillation spectrometer measured for 14C content. All steps in the analysis proceeded normally. Soil descriptions are based on information supplied by Patti Spears and Jeff Yamauchi. Hawaii Puaa, North Kona series Charcoal from 2 loci within project site (19 degrees 38'30"N, 155 degrees 56'30"E).