[Federal Register: October 3, 1996 (Volume 61, Number 193)]
[Notices]
[Page 51717-51718]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

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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: (213) 744-3382, 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

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