[Federal Register: April 9, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 68)]
[Notices]               
[Page 17410]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09ap99-91]

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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