Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 5, Number 4, 1 April 1988 — Good lnterpretation Held Very Important [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Good lnterpretation Held Very Important

A two-day workshop on "Interpreting the Big Island" was held recently in Kona with Martha Yent, archaeologist for the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of State Parks. The general principles of interpretation were discussed and several suggestions were made. It was agreed that the guide or interpreter should strive to be a knowledgeable person and that personal appearance was very important. Among some principles of good interpretation are:

• Holistic— considers the total universe of sites and information. • Thematic — pursues selected topics such as legends and folklore, lives of prominent leaders and religious sites. • Relevant — of interest to the visitor. • Hospitable — Concerned about visitor satis- . faction.

• Ho'omalimali — flatters rather than argues with the visitor. • Shows an interest in the visitor's reaction — What do you think? What are your beliefs? • Doesn't show everything or explain evidence. Show places are kapu and non-interpretive experiences are important, too. Some historic sites should be left alone and not interpreted.

Winona Spillner, center with lei, Office of Hawaiian Affairs Community Resource Coordinator, pays special attention to Martha Yent, right, as she explains archaeological sites shown on a map of Ka'awaloa whieh is part of the State Park at Kealakekua Bay. Yent is archaeologist for the Division of State Parks.