Ho'olaha Lehulehu - Public Notices

By Ka Wai Ola Staff

NO KA ILINA • BURIAL NOTICE

Keahuolū ahupua'a

NOTICE TO INTERESTED PARTIES IS HEREBY GIVEN that three sets of unmarked, human skeletal remains were discovered by Cultural Surveys Hawai'i Inc. in the course of archaeological inventory survey related to the proposed development of the Ane Keohokālole Highway at Keahuolū Ahupua'a, North Kona District, Island of Hawai'i. At the time of submittal of this Notice fieldwork was ongoing.

The human remains were found on Queen Lili'uokalani Trust property, mauka of Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway, in or near a proposed Ane Keohokālole Highway road corridor (two on TMK [3] 7-4-020:010 and one on TMK [3] 7-4-020:022).

The project proponent is the Hawai'i County Department of Public Works [contact: Mr. Warren Lee, Director, County of Hawai'i Department of Public Works, 101 Pauahi St., Suite 7, Hilo Hawai'i 96720; tel. (808) 961-8321; fax (808) 961-8630].

Background research indicates that during the Māhele these lands (along with the rest of the Keahuolū Ahupua'a) were claimed by Ane Keohokālole and were transferred to her heir Lili'uokalani. No kuleana (Land Commission Awards) are known in the vicinity. Native Hawaiians who once resided on or near the ahupua'a of Keahuolū are known to include Naholowaa (w), Kanewaiwaiole (k), Oahu (k), Kaneakua (w), Kanae (k) and his wife Nika (w), Makapo (k), and Eleele (no sex shown), Kamanawa Elua (k), his brother Hulu Kameeiamoku (k) and their sister Aulani (w).

Following the procedures of Hawai'i Revised Statutes (HRS) Chapter 6E-43, and Hawai'i Administrative Rules (HAR) Chapter 13-300, the remains are believed to be over 50 years old. Assignation of SIHP (State Inventory of Historic Properties) numbers by the State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) is pending. The project proponent would prefer to preserve in place the human remains; however, the decision to preserve in place or relocate these previously identified human remains shall be made by the Hawai'i Island Burial Council and SHPD in consultation with any identified lineal and/or cultural descendants, per the requirements of HAR Chapter 13-300-33. The remains' proper treatment shall occur in accordance with HAR Chapter 13-300-38 or 13-300-39.

SHPD is requesting persons having any knowledge of the identity or history of these human skeletal remains to immediately contact Mr. Analu Josephides at SHPD, located at 40 Po'okela St., Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 [TEL: (808) 933-7650 / FAX (808) 933-7655] to present information regarding appropriate treatment of the unmarked human remains. All interested parties should respond within thirty days of this notice and file descendancy claim forms and/or provide information to SHPD adequately demonstrating lineal descent from these specific burials or cultural descent from ancestors buried in the vicinity of this project.