Burial cave artifacts in dispute
Bishop Museum in a dispute
with Hui Malama I Na Kupuna 'O Hawai'i Nei over
artifacts repatriated in burial
caves on Hawaiian Homelands on the Big Island.
The Hawaiian Homes Commission is expected to deny the museum access to recover
the artifacts. Update: As expected,
"The Hawaiian Homes Commission today
denied Bishop Museum’s request for
permission to enter burial caves in Kawaihae to retrieve 83 rare Hawaiian
artifacts that have been the source of a three-year controversy. The Native
Hawaiian organization Hui Malama I Na Kupuna 'O Hawai'i Nei said it placed the
artifacts in the caves."Hui Malama
members are pro-independence, but they use what means are available under the
imposed laws, namely NAGPRA, to protect the
heritage of their ancestors.
Posted: Tue - September 23, 2003 at 08:37 AM