Report discusses interpretation of site and the problem of the conservation of the artifacts and midden materials from the site. A sudden halt of community life by a natural disaster such as a tropical storm or tidal wave is indicated at both locations, Vaito'otia and Fa'ahia. Excavations were prompted as rescue archaeology operations resulting from hotel building expansion. Both pearl shell and mussel shell fishing hooks have been found, but the mussel shell hooks are so fragile that even a drop of water can shatter them. Midden analyses indicate palaeodiet and community economy. Wood from the canoe planks has been identified as <i>Terminalia</i> sp, which definitely does not originate in New Zealand. Soil and pollen analyses were still being undertaken at the time of publication; samples were not permitted in the United States by virtue of US Department of Agriculture regulations. An explanation is given regarding why the site was waterlogged. The wood conservation program has not been straightforward based upon established practice, because thus far no conservation has been done on tropical wood. The first step in establishing a reference collection of tropical woods has begun.