Ross Cordy is Professor of Hawaiian and Pacific Studies at the University of Hawai‘i—West O‘ahu, USA, where he has taught for 23 years, teaching subjects such as Hawaiian and Pacific mythology, art, and history. He was Branch Chief for Archaeology (aka State Archaeologist) at Hawai‘i’s Historic Preservation Office from 1987-2002. His research for 50 years has been on the rise of kingdoms in the Hawaiian Islands.