Remains discovered at Wal-Mart site
By James Gonser
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer
Twenty-five sets of human remains that may be from the 1850s Honolulu smallpox epidemic have been discovered at the Wal-Mart construction site on Ke'eaumoku Street.
The area where the remains were found has been cordoned off. But construction, which began in December, continues on other parts of the 10.5-acre property.
Wal-Mart spokeswoman Cynthia Lin said the remains were found grouped together, not all over the construction site, and the developer is working closely with the State Historic Preservation Division to resolve the situation.
The situation came to light this week, when the company paid for a burial site notice in The Advertiser seeking individuals or families who believe they may have connections to the remains. The ad will be published again tomorrow.
The discovery was made Jan. 17 and the area quickly closed, but work continues in other areas, Lin said. An archeologist has determined the remains may be from the 1853 smallpox epidemic. Some could be older than that.
"As soon as the ancestral remains were discovered, we cordoned off the area and no construction is taking place in that area," Lin said. "This is a culturally sensitive issue, and we want to make sure the remains are treated with the utmost care and respect. It is important to us to do the right thing. That is why we published a notice to find any descendants."
An opponent of the project said yesterday that work should stop until the situation is resolved.
"They found a Hawaiian burial site of considerable proportions," said Jim Becker, a member of Citizens Against Reckless Development, which already had filed complaints with the city as well as a Circuit Court lawsuit to stop the development. "We think they have been trying to sweep it under the rug, but it got too big for them," Becker said.
Wal-Mart bought the 10.5-acre property in May 2002 for an estimated $35 million and plans to build a Sam's Club and Wal-Mart on the block bounded by Sheridan, Makaloa, Rycroft and Ke'eaumoku streets. The stores are expected to open next year. The company has permits for grading and foundation work, which has begun, but it needs building permits for the proposed 317,000-square-foot structure.
Holly McEldowney, acting administrator for the State Historic Preservation Division, said the bodies were buried close together in a group, like those of other smallpox victims buried in the area.
"They appear to have been buried quickly, because they were closely packed," McEldowney said. "We have found others in other parts of Kaka'ako. We know there was a smallpox inventory, and there are certain patterns that come up in those areas."
McEldowney said the O'ahu Island Burial Council is trying to find people who believe they are lineal or cultural descendants so they can be included in the process. McEldowney said state laws allow for the transition of the remains to happen quickly, because the property is in the "act of development." The issue could be resolved within weeks, she said.
The Oahu Burial Council often oversees the removal and reburial of remains discovered during construction work, typically of Native Hawaiians. Becker said the state and developer should not be in too big a hurry and should check the property thoroughly.
He said a ruling is due May 5 from the city Department of Planning and Permitting on the group's complaint that zoning laws are being violated. The lawsuit has a trial date of Sept. 5.
Information on the remains is available from Kana'i Kapeliela, cultural historian for the Burial Sites Program at the Department of Land and Natural Resources, at 692-8037.
Reach James Gonser at jgonser@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2431.
