Posted on: Friday, June 28, 2002

Waialua temple awaits news on unearthed bones

By Vicki Viotti
Advertiser Staff Writer

Archaeologists Mary Sullivan, left, and Bert Davis sift through dirt samples at Waialua Hongwanji Mission. Bone pieces found at the church June 10 during renovation are probably those of a Native Hawaiian buried long ago, Davis said. Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser

A small congregation of Buddhists in Waialua anxiously awaits a report from private archaeologists they have hired about human bones that contractors unearthed June 10 during work to renovate their nearly century-old temple.

Although work began only yesterday, the archaeologists studying what appears to be an old native Hawaiian burial site said that dealing with the bones is not likely to be too costly.

"I hope work is not too extensive because of the cost," said Lawrence Takenaka, president of the Waialua Hongwanji Mission board. The leaders are concerned about additional expenses compounding the outlay that the community of about 140 members is making to restore the old temple in time for the mission's 100th anniversary celebration in November.

The bones were found adjacent to the temple as an electrician was laying conduit for new wiring.

State authorities were called, and officials from the Department of Land and Natural Resources told church leaders that because the bones were found on private property, the archaeological work becomes the landowner's responsibility.

The renovations contractor, H. Monma General Contracting, hired Scientific Consultants Services. Company executives were unavailable for comment, but the archaeologists assigned to the project said the likeliest outcome is that the unearthed bone fragments would be reburied in the same site.

Archaeologist Bert Davis said there was no evidence of a casket or other sign that the grave belonged to a non-Hawaiian.

"Unless there is some clear indication that we are dealing with a recent burial or a non-Hawaiian burial, the presumption is that it's a Native Hawaiian burial because of its location and the lack of a clearly marked grave," he said.

The fragments found appeared to come from long bones — an arm or a leg — and were very fragile, Davis said. Because it's possible that more fragments are mixed with the excavated dirt, that soil will be sifted and any other remains will be placed back with the bones still in the earth.

The final decision on how to proceed will come from the state and the O'ahu Burial Council, Davis said, but the probable course is to cover the hole and avoid disturbing the remains further.

Davis said the bones appear to be in the original burial position and not brought there 70 years ago when some fill material was used in landscaping during the temple construction.

Davis declined to provide a cost estimate but said the company is known for keeping things reasonable, especially for "the small landowner."

"The fundamental philosophy is that we're not out here to get as much as we can," he said.

Reach Vicki Viotti at vviotti@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8053.