Inadvertent Discovery of Human Remains
In accordance with Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes (HRS) §6E-43.6 and Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules (HAR) §13-300-40, during ongoing construction activities at Papaloa, Kalaupapa, human remains were inadvertently discovered. Work in the immediate area has ceased, and the remains are being respectfully protected in accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3001 et seq., and its implementing regulations (43 CFR Part 10). The National Park Service is actively consulting with Lineal Descendants, Native Hawaiian organizations and authorities to determine the appropriate treatment and disposition of the remains. This process honors cultural values and legal requirements to ensure dignity and respect. Individuals or organizations with information relevant to this discovery, including lineal descendants of Mary Kaipomeeau, Michael Nailima, Joseph K. Nailima, M.K. Nailima, Mariana Kalakini, Alice Kaakaualani Nailima, Malie Mileka Nailima, L.K. Nailima Waiole, E.K. Hoaeae Nailima, James Herman Smith, Mari Lehua, Emma Kaimilani Waiamau, Thomas Waiamau, Timothy Waiamau, D.K. Kaaoao, J.J. Harvest, Emily K. Forbes, John Kuualoha Forbes or those who wish to participate in consultation, are invited to contact Nancy Holman, Superintendent
Kala Consultation, NPS, Kalaupapa National Historical Park – Phone: 808-567-6802 or Email: kala_consultation@nps.gov. Your cooperation and understanding are appreciated as we work together to protect cultural heritage and uphold shared responsibilities.
Notice Of Consultation Section 106 Of The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 As Amended (2006)
The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) proposes the Keaʻau–Pāhoa Road Intersection Improvements at Makuʻu Drive and Orchidland Drive Project. This project is a federal action and undertaking subject to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, as amended, and 36 CFR Part 800(y). The project sites are located along Keaʻau–Pāhoa Road (State Route 130) at the intersections of Makuʻu Drive and Orchidland Drive in Hawaiian Paradise Park and Orchidland Estates, within the ahupuaʻa of Keaʻau and Waikahekahe, Puna Moku, Island of Hawaiʻi. Proposed improvements include construction of two modern roundabouts with an eight-foot shared-use path, bus pullouts, concrete splitter islands, central islands with mountable truck aprons for large vehicles, and roadway lighting consistent with federal design standards. Project implementation will require partial right-of-way acquisition from multiple parcels and associated utility relocations. Pursuant to Section 106 of the NHPA, HDOT seeks consultation with Native Hawaiian Organizations and descendants with ancestral, cultural, or religious ties to the project area. Individuals or organizations with demonstrated legal, economic, or historic preservation interests are also invited to provide information regarding historic or cultural resources within the project area. Please contact Courtney Supe, Project Manager, via email at courtney.k.supe@hawaii.gov, or by mail at Department of Transportation (Attn: Courtney Supe), 50 Makaʻala Street, Hilo, Hawaiʻi 96720.
Please respond by March 2, 2026.
Museum Seeks Consultation For Sacred And Funerary Objects
The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in New York, NY, invites Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs) to participate in consultation in accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). The AMNH currently stewards a collection of over 200 Hawaiian items, collected from a variety of sources during the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as a limited number of contemporary pieces. The museum seeks the input of appropriate consulting parties on recent NAGPRA requests for sacred and funerary objects that are currently housed at the AMNH. For most of these items, museum records do not provide specific location information beyond Hawaiʻi. In some cases, a specific island is named, including Maui, Kauaʻi, Molokaʻi, and Oʻahu. In a very small number of examples, more specific locales are known, including Hilo and several locations on Oʻahu. The requested materials include kapa fragments; wood, stone, and bone tools; jugs, bowls, and other vessels; jewelry, feathered capes, and other regalia; as well as other types of items. As these items cover a wide range of object types and geographic areas, the museum recognizes that there may be additional interested parties beyond those already identified and invites input from those consulting parties who wish to provide it. Consulting parties must meet the definition of a lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or NHO per 43.CFR.10.2. The definitions of these terms may be found at https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-10/subpart-A/section-10.2Requests to participate in consultation may be directed to: Nell Murphy, Director of Cultural Resources, at nmurphy@amnh.org.
Human Remains Identified – ʻIli of Kukuluāeʻo, LCA 982 to Kukao
NOTICE TO INTERESTED PARTIES IS HEREBY GIVEN that human skeletal remains were identified by Cultural Surveys Hawaiʻi, Inc. during a supplemental archaeological inventory survey for the City Center portion of the Honolulu Rail Transit Project, Honolulu Ahupuaʻa, Honolulu District, Oʻahu, TMK: (1) 2-1-051:045. Per Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes Section 6E-43 and Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules (HAR) Chapter 13-300, these are considered previously identified burial sites. Based on context, they are over 50 years old and reasonably believed to be Native Hawaiian. Located in the ʻili of Kukuluāeʻo, the project area was within Land Commission Award 982 to Kukao. The project proponent, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (contact Vance Tsuda, Project Director, 1099 Alakea Street, Suite 1700, Honolulu, HI 96813 [Tel: 808-768-8943]), is exploring options for either preservation in place or relocation for these remains; however, that decision shall be made by the Oʻahu Island Burial Council in consultation with the State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) and any recognized lineal and/or cultural descendants, per the requirements of HAR Section 13-300-33. Appropriate treatment shall occur in accordance with HAR Section 13-300-38. All persons having any knowledge of the identity or history of these human remains are requested to immediately contact Traven Apiki, SHPD Burial Site Specialist, at 40 Poʻokela Street, Hilo, HI 96720 [Tel: (808) 829-9322, Fax: (808) 933-7655, Email: traven.apiki@hawaii.gov]. Interested parties shall respond within thirty (30) days of this notice to the SHPD adequately demonstrating lineal descent from these designated burials or cultural descent from ancestors buried in the same ahupuaʻa (district).
