Posted on: Saturday, January 8, 2005

Graves protection panel to meet

By Vicki Viotti
Advertiser Staff Writer

A federal panel will take up various conflicts over Native Hawaiian burial artifacts — including a hotly contested reburial of objects in a Kawaihae cave — at meetings set for March 13-15 at the East-West Center.

The panel, officially known as the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Review Committee, will convene at 1 p.m. March 13 at the Hawai'i Imin International Conference Center, 1777 East-West Road.

The meetings will resume at 8:30 a.m. March 14 and 15, with sessions expected to adjourn about 5 p.m. each day.

The Kawaihae case, in which 83 objects formerly in the Bishop Museum collection were reburied nearly five years ago in a sealed cave, probably is the most high-profile case to be discussed. But other conflicts involving the museum, including the proposed "repatriation" of cultural objects to Moloka'i, also will be on the table.

The committee will hear public comments on other issues, including nominees for a seventh committee member.

Anyone wishing to schedule a presentation before the committee must submit a written request with an abstract of the presentation and contact information. Individuals also may submit written statements for consideration by the Review Committee during the meeting.

Requests and statements may be mailed to: Designated Federal Officer, NAGPRA Review Committee, National Park Service, 1849 C St. NW (2253), Washington, DC 20240. Anything sent by commercial delivery service should be addressed to the National Park Service, 1201 Eye St. NW, 8th floor, Washington, DC 20005.

Because increased security in the Washington area may delay mail delivery, copies also should be faxed to (202) 371-5197.

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