2023 SHA Conference Cancellation
After much consideration, and in consultation with the SHA conference committee, the SHA board of directors has decided to cancel the 2023 SHA Annual Conference, which was to be held on October 13-15 at the UH Maui campus. Our colleagues on Maui who have been leading this year’s conference organization are focused on recovery efforts relating to the recent fires in Lahaina and Kula. We do not want to divert their attention at this critical time. We also want to be respectful of the entire community on Maui and allow them the space and time to grieve following this immense loss.
We will proceed with celebrating Hawaii Archaeology Week during the week of October 9-15, 2023. We have already distributed information about the Youth Poster Design Contest, and plan to organize some virtual workshops, events, and huaka’i on islands other than Maui.
Please save the date of October 14, 2023, as we plan to hold our Annual General Meeting (AGM) on O’ahu then, and will make a virtual option available for those members who would like to join us remotely. We know many of you would still look forward to an opportunity for a social gathering. In lieu of the conference, we are currently looking into venues on O’ahu to follow the AGM with a pau hana fundraiser event to provide financial support to Maui-based organizations involved in recovery efforts.
We encourage everyone to make donations in support of Maui with funds that may have been earmarked for conference registration fees and/or donations for the conference. Please stay tuned, as we’ll share more details about this event during the coming weeks.
As of now, we are planning to hold the 2024 Conference at UH Maui in October 2024 and we look forward to welcoming you all to Maui then.
(Photo: Hawaii State Archives, Photograph Collection,PP-4-9-007)