[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 68 (Friday, April 9, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 17410]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-8888]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items from Molokai, HI in
the Possession of the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, Honolulu, HI
AGENCY: National Park Service
ACTION: Notice
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Notice is hereby given under the Native American Graves Protection
and Repatriation Act, 43 CFR 10.10 (a)(3), of the intent to repatriate
cultural items in the possession of the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum,
Honolulu, HI which meet the definition of ``object of cultural
patrimony'' under Section 2 of the Act.
The cultural items are three sections of sandstone containing
petroglyphs.
In 1909, Bishop Museum staff J.F.G. Stokes; with permission from
George P. Cooke, manager of the Molokai Ranch; carved out and collected
these sections of sandstone containing petroglyphs. These sections
(nos. 9935-37) cam from an area called Kalaina Wawae (the feet of
Kalaina), known for its numerous oblong depressions said to represent
human footprints. One mo'olelo, or traditional story, associated with
this site is that a prophetess named Kalaina made the imprints, thus
foretelling the eventual arrival of boot-wearing foreigners.
Based on known Native Hawaiian traditions and practice, these
sections of Kalaina Wawae are consistent with an object of cultural
patrimony, and could not have been alienated, appropriated, or conveyed
by any individual. Consultation evidence presented by Hui Malama I Na
Kupuna O Hawai'i Nei, on behalf of its members on Molokai and the
Native Hawaiian community of the island of Molokai, supports this
conclusion.
Officials of the Bishop Museum have determined that, pursuant to 43
CFR 10.2 (d)(4), these cultural items have ongoing historical,
traditional, and cultural importance central to the culture itself, and
could not have been alienated, appropriated, or conveyed by any
individual. Officials of the Bishop Museum have also determined that,
pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (e), there is a relationship of shared group
identity which can be reasonably traced between these items and Hui
Malama I Na Kupuna O Hawai'i Nei.
This notice has been sent to officials of Hui Malama I Na Kupuna O
Hawai'i Nei, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Moloka'i Museum and
Culture Center, Lili'uokalani Trust, Alapa'i Hanapi, Lawrence Aki, and
Walter Ritte. Representatives of any other Native Hawaiian organization
that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these objects
should contact Valerie Free, Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, 1525 Bernice
Street, Honolulu, HI 96817; telephone: (808) 847-8205 before May 10,
1999. Repatriation of these objects to Hui Malama I Na Kupuna O Hawai'i
Nei on behalf of its members on Molokai and the Native Hawaiian
community of Molokai may begin after that date if no additional
claimants come forward.
Dated: March 26, 1999.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 99-8888 Filed 4-8-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F
