Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 16, Number 9, 1 September 1999 — Salem museum expedites repatriation [ARTICLE]

Salem museum expedites repatriation

By Paula Durbln Staff members from the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Mass., were in Hawai'i Aug. 16 - 20 to consult with representatives from Hui Malama I Na Kupuna O Hawai'i Nei, Ka Lāhui Hawai'i and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs regarding the repatriation of several pieces from the museum's vast collection of some 2,400 Native Hawaiian cultural items, many collected by New England sea captains before 1850. "It's a warm feeling to see all of you and eonhnue this dialogue and consultation that will further extend our friendship," said Dan Monroe, the museum's director after the opening protocol at the University of Hawaii's Center for Hawaiian Studies in Mānoa where the group met before proceeding to Hilo. Christina Hellmieh, director of eolleetions management, and Susan Bean, a collections manager, had also traveled from Salem for the meetings. The museum's cordial relationship with the

three Hawaiian organizations was initiated in 1990 in eomplianee with the Native American Graves Protection and repatriation Act (NAGPRA) whieh requires the repatriation of objects eon-

taining human remains. As a result, two Native Hawaiian skulls and three pieces of burial tapa were repatriated in 1993 and 1997 respectively. The subjects of the August meetings were two net needles, 10 fishhooks, one spear (later determined to be a carrying pole), one bowl, three pieces of tapa and, perhaps most striking of all, a nu oi un, u

refuse bowl inlaid with 55 human teeth from at least three individuals. By mutual agreement, the fishhooks were submitted to Dr. Yosihiko Sinoto and

Sam Kumukahi for a determination as to whether or not the bone parts were of humanorigin. Pursuant to their expert opinion, the representatives of the museum and the Native Hawaiian

groups agreed that seven of the 10 fishhooks should be repatriated. The remaining three, and one of the two needles, apparently did not eontain human bone and will be returned to the Peabody. The repatriations are subject to formal approval bv the a|ipuvoi uy ui

museum's collections committee whieh derives its authority from NAGPRA. Information shared by Hui Mālama substantiated that both the bowl and the

carrying pole had been taken from a burial cave in Kōhala by the same individual along with other burial items since repatriated by the Bishop Museum. The refuse bowl was brought back to Hawai'i under an agreement signed Aug. 1, 1998. It is being stored at the State Historic Preservation Division of the Department of Land and Natural Resources pending noīiee in the Federal Register and the expiration of the 30day waiting period. If no additional claimants eome forward, it will be repatriated to the three Native Hawaiian organizations. The refuse bowl was carefully tmwrapped and shown to the participants who welcomed its presence with three chants appropriate to the occasion. "The sensitivity and commitment of the Peabody staff coupled with their positive relationship with us has made this repatriation process successful," said Pīkake Pelekai, who, with Ken SalvaCruz, represented the Office of Hawaiian Affairs at the meetings. ■

"The sensitivity and commitment of the Peabody staff coupled with their positive relationship with us has made this repatriation process successfuL,, — PĪkake Pelekai