Archaeology in Hawaii

     More Letters From Paradise

        Archaeology  in Hawaii 

 I think everyone knows that archaeologists dig in ancient sites, and often use pottery to help reconstruct the past. From the study of these pots, cups, and bowls, much can be learned.  And so, if archaeologists would have dug in our kitchen, what might they have found?
One shelf full of coffee mugs. (The many others donated, failed to make the shelf).
The first one discovered is plainly marked "Alcatraz." It is black- painted, and was said to have once been the home of Robert Stroud, the Birdman of Alcatraz, Machine Gun Kelly, and Al Capone. Next to it is a white mug with three large Japanese characters on one side. We don't have to read Japanese, for the translation on the reverse tells that it marks a Great Sumo Tournament. Then there is one bright-red mug with the words "Keep Calm and Carry On." The origin of the mug is Portland, Oregon, not England.  No doubt a copy of the WWII British posters seen in England during the Battle of Britain. One white china mug appears to have come from Rome, Italy. On it are the Latin words "Roma Caput Mundi."   Translated means "Rome, Capital of the World."  And that was once very true. These Hawaiian people seemed to have traveled a great deal.  The next mug is white with red flowers all over it. There are also the words "Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea, and Raiatea."  This also was easily understood.  But closer to the site in Honolulu, we take down a mug which is white with green painted quilt patterns on it. There is another mug just like it but with pink patterns. This is a puzzle. For we know that Hawaii no longer has a queen, and in spite of the words "Queen Emma's Summer Palace," on one side, the bottom is marked with "Made in China." Another local find is a white mug with an old sailing ship on its side. The name of the ship is the "Falls of Clyde."  We find yet another mug from Italy. There are paintings of the Mona Lisa, and a painter named Da Vinci. Its origin is Monte Catini Alta, a little town located high in the mountains of Italy. 
One other strange find is a white mug with an adobe church painted on it. The writing on it tells us that it is from the Pueblo of Isleta, in Santa Fe. And again, on the bottom are the words "Made in China." Another mug appears to have come from California. There is a picture of a large round-pointed building, and the words, "Hotel Del Coronado".  We also know that this is what it is, because it said so on the side. And again the  words "Made in China" on the bottom. We must deduce from our finds, that pottery making was not a  part of their culture.  
There is also a white mug with the Greek words "Nepenthe," on it. We also know that the words mean anything inducing easeful forgetfulness. The place where it was purchased was Big Sur, in California. One of the most beautiful places along the coast. The actors Orson Welles, and Rita Hayworth, bought a house there, and it is said that she purchased some curtains for it, but that they never returned. And once again on the bottom of the mug, "Made in China." 
Closer to home in Hawaii are two mugs, one yellow-colored, marked "Hilo Hattie" on the bottom, and the other a blue and white mug with the words "Mama's Fish House Maui."  You can guess what is on their menu. And you would find on the bottom, "Made in China." One great find is a mug with the picture of an American president. We know this because there is his picture, and also his birth certificate on one side. There are a few more mugs remaining to be examined, but there is no more space to log them in the book. Perhaps another time when there is more paper and time. And what has this archaeologist learned from this study of mugs? Only that these people drank a lot of coffee, traveled a great deal, and always returned home to Hawaii.  

              Aloha
              Grant