1800s-era burials re-covered at grading site

By James Gonser
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer

Most of the complaints about the treatment of the remains of 25 bodies discovered during grading work at the Wal-Mart store construction site on Ke'eaumoku Street have been corrected, according to Hui Malama I Na Kupuna O Hawai'i Nei. But the group still has questions about the state's handling of the situation and the final disposition of the remains.

Members of Hui Malama I Na Kupuna O Hawai'i Nei inspect the area at the Sam's Club/Wal-Mart construction site where remains were discovered during grading. Most complaints about treatment of the remains have been resolved. Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser

Hui Malama member Edward Halealoha Ayau said the iwi kupuna (ancestral bones) that were covered only by plywood and exposed to the sun have now been covered with tapa and crushed coral.

Garbage inundating the burial site was cleaned up, two portable toilets immediately adjacent to the site were moved and a construction buffer zone was established around the burial site.

A temporary sewer line from the portable offices a few feet from the burial site that was leaking also was repaired.

Ayau said the most egregious aspect was leaving the iwi covered with only a flimsy piece of wood.

"In the Hawaiian culture, when a person dies, they go to po, which is darkness or night," Ayau said. "The world you then exist in is darkness. The worst thing you can do with iwi is expose them to the sun."

A group of Hui Malama members visited the site yesterday morning and asked for shovels to cover the iwi with dirt themselves before the tapa and coral were brought in.

"It is in much better condition than what it was," Ayau said later. "It is much more respectful."

Ayau said they also found exposed iwi kupuna in the back dirt pile Tuesday that was excavated from the burial site. That indicates the dirt was not sifted for remains and no effort was made to identify the actual parameters of the burial site, he said.

The remains were grouped in one area, and the land department's State Historic Preservation Division will make a decision on their disposition. An archaeologist has determined that the remains may be from the 1853 smallpox epidemic that struck Honolulu.

Wal-Mart spokeswoman Cynthia Lin said the company has done everything required by the state since the remains were discovered in January.

"From the moment we discovered the remains we contacted the appropriate agencies," Lin said. "We've been working very closely with and will continue to work with the state because our commitment has been and will continue to be to do everything possible to make sure the iwi are afforded the utmost care and respect."

Wal-Mart paid an estimated $35 million for the 10.5-acre property in May 2002 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.

Holly McEldowney, acting administrator for the State Historic Preservation Division, a part of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, visited the site yesterday and agreed to the implement the changes requested by Hui Malama.

McEldowney said no decision about the final disposition of the remains has been made yet. They could be left in place or moved to another site.

Ayau said they should be left were they are.

Wal-Mart took out a burial site notice last month seeking individuals or families associated with the burial site and several people have come forward claiming to be descendants, McEldowney said.

McEldowney said an archeologist will continue to monitor construction.

Reach James Gonser at jgonser@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2431.