The state Office of Hawaiian Affairs says it also wants to be in the loop and have a say in what happens with more than 20 significant artifacts found at a North Kona construction site last month.

"OHA is obligated to work towards the betterment of native Hawaiians and Hawaiians, and to serve the needs and interests of a wide and diverse beneficiary group (and) must also ensure that other agencies, on the state and county levels, uphold their constitutionally, statutorily and judicially mandated obligations to the native Hawaiian and Hawaiian people," administrator Clyde Namu'o said in a letter to Rutter Development Inc., which is developing the Shores of Kohanaiki between Keahole Airport and Kailua town.

After reviewing news stories about the artifacts, "it is becoming clear that OHA should be officially and formally notified of this discovery and consulted with regards to the interests of our beneficiaries," Namu'o said.

Archaeologist Paul Rosendahl, who is helping developers with the project, could not be reached for comment late yesterday. He previously said that after consultation with the state Historic Preservation Division, the cave has been sealed temporarily while a final plan is discussed with state officials and Native Hawaiians from the area.

"OHA is concerned regarding any discovery of historic properties, especially when they are native Hawaiian in origin and of apparent cultural significance," Namu'o said.

Reach Gordon Y.K. Pang at gpang@honoluluadvertiser.com.