96-25353. Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains From Hawaii in the Possession of the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History, Los Angeles, CA

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 193 (Thursday, October 3, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51717-51718]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-25353]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
From Hawaii in the Possession of the Los Angeles County Museum of 
Natural History, Los Angeles, CA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Notice is hereby given in accordance with provisions of the Native 
American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 
3003 (d), of the completion of an inventory of human remains in the 
possession of the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History, Los 
Angeles, CA.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Los Angeles 
County Museum of Natural History professional staff in consultation 
with representatives of Hui Malama I Na Kupuna 'O Hawai'i Nei and the 
Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
    The human remains consist of 387 human teeth representing a minimum 
of 17 individuals that are strung on coconut fibre cord as two separate 
necklaces. Museum accession records state that ``The necklaces were 
brought from the Hawaiian Islands by Dr. Frank Carpenter, physician 
there at the time of King Kalakaua (1883-1893). They were presented to 
him with great ceremony after he had cured a native child. The 
necklaces are said to have been native family heirlooms dating from the 
time when it was customary for the women to go out and collect the 
teeth of slain enemies after a battle''. Representatives of Hui Malama 
I Na Kupuna 'O Hawai'i Nei and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs confirm 
the Native Hawaiian nature of necklaces of this kind. The necklaces 
were donated to the museum by Miss Nettie M. Guiwits in 1942. No known 
individuals were identified.

[[Page 51718]]

    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Los 
Angeles County Museum of Natural History have determined that, pursuant 
to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the 
physical remains of 17 individuals of Native Hawaiian ancestry. 
Officials of the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History have also 
determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S. C. 3001 (2), there is a 
relationship of shared group identity which can be reasonably traced 
between these Native Hawaiian human remains and Hui Malama I Na Kupuna 
'O Hawai'i Nei and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Hui Malama I Na 
Kupuna 'O Hawai'i Nei and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. 
Representatives of any other Native Hawaiian organization that believes 
itself to be culturally affiliated with these human remains and 
associated funerary objects should contact Margaret Ann Hardin, Los 
Angeles County Museum of Natural History, 900 Exposition Blvd. Los 
Angeles, CA 90007; telephone: [phone], before November 4, 1996. 
Repatriation of the human remains to Hui Malama I Na Kupuna 'O Hawai'i 
Nei and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs may begin after that date if no 
additional claimants come forward.
Dated: September 30, 1996,
C. Timothy McKeown,
Acting, Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Acting Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 96-25353 Filed 10-2-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F