He wanted a book that could take a story about an archaeological site and be able to relate it back to early Hawaiian culture and religion. The triangulation of history (the story), archaeology (the site), and its early origins (the religion).
One semester, it may be European Judaic history. Then maybe an exploration of the relationship between Israel and Palestine. Or maybe Jews in Islamic empires, such as the Ottoman Empire. Or, of course, World War II and Nazi Germany.