HILO, HAWAI'I | EST. 2023

Our stories,
our places,
our communities

Hoaʻāina Heritage Services conducts required archaeological and cultural studies to keep your Hawaiʻi Island project compliant with state and federal laws protecting archaeological sites and traditional customary practices.

A State‑permitted, Native Hawaiian, woman‑owned firm led by Lokelani Brandt, M.A.

Hilo One with Mauna Kea in the background

Photo from the Hawaiʻi State Archives Digital Collection

15

Years documenting the heritage of this island.

500+

Ethnographic interviews, many in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi.

100+

Technical reports and studies authored.

1

Island. We work where we live and raise our families.

hoaʻāina

Traditionally, a hoaʻāina was a tenant or caretaker, a person entrusted by the haku ʻāina to care for and steward ʻāina.

The name Hoaʻāina reflects our desire to tell the stories of those who have and continue to care for ʻāina. It is how we approach our work and the kuleana that comes with documenting the cultural resources and history of a place.

Hoaʻāina Heritage Services is a historic preservation research and consulting firm based in Hilo, Hawaiʻi. We specialize in archaeology, ethnography, ethnohistory, culture heritage planning, interpretive planning, and education.

We work with public agencies, private landowners, nonprofit organizations, and ʻōiwi communities to document, interpret, and support the stewardship of Hawaiʻi’s cultural landscapes. Our work integrates archival research, Hawaiian-language resources, oral history, archaeology, and community consultation to produce technically sound and culturally grounded planning documents.

Read Lokelani's story here →

KA HANA · THE WORK

We guide and support…

those who need to comply with
county, state, or federal
historic preservation laws and regulations

those who seek to understand
the cultural history of a place

Technical Services

Archaeological Inventory Surveys · Archaeological Preservation Plans · Burial Site Component of a Preservation Plan · Field Inspections · Reconnaissance Survey · Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act · Interpretive signage

Explore Our Technical Services

Educational Programs

Huakaʻi Hele- for educators, schools, and community groups who want their haumāna standing in the places they are learning about.

Explore Our Educational Programs

Tell us about your project

Simple, straightforward
answers to your questions

Most people find us because an agency sent them a letter and they are not sure what it means. These answers are written for that moment.

Ask us another question

We provide archaeological, cultural-historical research, and consultation services for projects on Hawaiʻi Island. We also provide a place-based cultural-educational program geared towards educators and students.
Reach out through our contact form. Send us your inquiry and we will get in touch with you within 24 hours.
Good cultural research begins with relationships.
Our work is informed by years of experience researching Hawaiʻi Island’s histories, walking its landscapes, and listening to the people who know these places best. We bring together archaeology, ethnography, ethnohistory, Hawaiian language, archival research, and community consultation to develop studies grounded in both the historical record and the experiences of kamaʻāina.
That approach takes care and trust. It allows us to understand a place beyond the boundaries of a project area and to document the histories, relationships, and cultural practices that may not be visible on a map or identified through archival research alone.
The result is work that is thorough, well-supported, and accountable to both the regulatory process and the communities and places it represents.
Our pricing is based on the type, scope, and complexity of the project. After an initial conversation to understand your needs, we provide a proposal outlining the recommended scope of work, schedule, and associated costs.