EXPLORATORY POLLEN ANALYSIS OF PIT FILL AND A SMALL CAVE ALONG THE KONA COAST OF THE ISLAND OF HAWAI'I I

Three pollen samples collected from the fill of pits and from a small cave, plus a modern control sample were examined from several sites on the Kona Coast of the Island of Hawai'i. Pollen samples were selected to address specific research questions. They were examined to provide paleoenvironmental and background control data for the project area. Samples 1 and 2, representing the small cave and the modern surface in a grassland, were examined to provide this information. Two additional samples were collected from various pits interpreted as agricultural pits or rock quarrying pits in the project area. Fill from these pits was examined to assist in determining the function of these pits. Due to the extremely shallow nature of deposits in the pits, this study is exploratory to determine pollen preservation and to establish a baseline against which any future studies may be compared. This study also addresses the feasibility of future pollen research for this project.