Patrick V. Kirch

Patrick V. Kirch is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, affiliated with the College of Social Sciences. He holds the rank of Professor and is based at Dean 101/A. His research focuses on historical anthropology, archaeology, and the deep-time history of Pacific island societies, particularly Polynesia and Hawaiʻi. He has conducted fieldwork across the Pacific, including Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, French Polynesia, and Hawaiʻi.

Education:

• PhD in Anthropology, Yale University, 1975
• MPhil, Yale University, 1973
• BA (cum laude), University of Pennsylvania, 1971
• Punahou Academy (Honolulu), 1968

Research Interests: Origins of Pacific peoples, interactions between island populations and ecosystems, development of complex island societies, and agro-ecosystems. He emphasizes islands as 'model systems' for understanding human-environmental dynamics.

Community & Collaborations: Active in cultural heritage preservation, serving as first President of the Society for Hawaiian Archaeology and on the Bishop Museum Board of Directors. Collaborates with institutions like the Australian National University, University of Auckland, and University of French Polynesia. Member of the International Center for Archaeological Research on Polynesia and the U.S. National Academy of Sciences.

Awards: Elected to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, a testament to his scholarly impact.

Teaching: Teaches courses on Pacific Islands Archaeology (ANTH 323) and Hawaiian Archaeology (ANTH 464).