This has been a huge issue at Bishop Museum for years.  There are some interesting events going on this weekend at the Museum involving Native Hawaiian groups.  Read the story at

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2004/May/28/ln/ln21a.html

Below is a letter to the editor from Museum President Bill Brown

No one seeks to remove Kawaihae Caves bones

I am writing to clarify issues raised involving artifacts said to have been placed in the Kawaihae Caves. In yesterday's Advertiser, Ms. Pualani Kanahele wrote that the Bishop Museum seeks to remove iwi kupuna (ancestral bones) and moepu (burial objects) from the cave complex.

Bishop Museum, in consultation with Native Hawaiian claimants involved in the matter, seeks to recover only artifacts — not burial remains — that were loaned to Hui Malama in February 2000 and were never returned, despite pointed objections from the other claimants. Seven of the 13 Native Hawaiian claimants involved in this matter seek to verify that the items are in the caves and to recover them so that repatriation may be continued in a manner that respects the rights of all 13 claimants.

The National Park Service NAGPRA Review Committee has recommended that the artifacts be recovered and presented to all the claimants. Bishop Museum concurs with the position of the federal Review Committee and the majority of Native Hawaiian claimants, and desires to implement that position in a cooperative manner. Bishop Museum has no plans to, and does not wish to, remove or recover any iwi kupuna, or ancestral bones, as Ms. Kanahele states in her article.

We are respectful of the plans by Native Hawaiian organizations to honor ancestors this Memorial Day weekend, and the Bishop Museum will do everything it can to help make those plans be successful.