Federal Register #2026-11701

Notice of Intended Repatriation of Native Hawaiian Cultural Items by American Museum of Natural History

This notice concerns the intended repatriation of Native Hawaiian cultural items by the American Museum of Natural History, overseen by the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service. - Government buyer: - Department of the Interior - National Park Service - American Museum of Natural History (administering institution) - Cultural items to be repatriated: - Total of five unassociated funerary objects - One hammerstone - One whetstone or net sinker - Three stone discs or game stones - Items were excavated from burials at Ahua Point, O1ahu, Hawaii - Affiliation: - Items are affiliated with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, a Native Hawaiian organization - Process and requirements: - Repatriation is conducted under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) - Written requests for repatriation may be submitted by lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations with cultural affiliation - Notable requirement: Handling precautions may be necessary due to possible past application of hazardous pesticides to museum collections, as advised by industrial hygienists or medical personnel

Description

The American Museum of Natural History intends to repatriate certain cultural items classified as unassociated funerary objects that have a cultural affiliation with a Native Hawaiian organization. These items include one hammerstone, one whetstone or net sinker, and three stone discs or game stones excavated from burials at Ahua Point, O1ahu, in 1938. The repatriation process is conducted under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and may occur on or after July 13, 2026. Requests for repatriation must be submitted in writing to the museum's authorized representative.

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