Post #201483 by amiotiki on Sat, Dec 3, 2005 7:34 PM

Very interesting thread...

As an archaeologist, somewhat specializing in NAGPRA (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act), it's obvious this is a very complex issue. Some of the questions...

1. Were or are the Forbes Caves on public land?
2. Does the Bishop Museum receive any kind of federal funding?

The law is pretty clear that any human remains, burial goods, sacred items or items of cultural patrimony must be inventoried and offered to the descendant people (if they are a federally recognized tribe, which the Hawai'ian Islanders are) for their discretionary disposition. This law applies to institutions of any kind that receive federal monies.

It seems to me that if the questions above can be answered yes, then any artifacts that fall into the categories above must be returned to the Hawai'ians who claim them. It really doesn't matter how much us scientists and art lovers want to see them stay on display or be available for study.

If the questions can be answered no, then it's a sticky situation for everybody involved. My personal opinion is that the right thing to do is to return the stuff to the people who have a legitimate claim to it - the natives.

By the way, Lanikai - your posts are very well said - thank you!

[ Edited by: amiotiki 2005-12-03 19:44 ]