Federal Register #2026-12380

Notice of Repatriation of Native Hawaiian Sacred Cultural Items from Wesleyan University

This notice concerns the repatriation of sacred cultural items from Wesleyan University's Archaeology and Anthropology Collections: - Government buyer: Department of the Interior, National Park Service - Responsible party: Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT - No OEMs or commercial vendors involved; this is not a procurement - 13 sacred cultural items to be repatriated, affiliated with Native Hawaiian organizations (Hui Iwi Kuamo‘o) - Items include: Ipu Pawehe (decorated gourd container), ‘Ohe Kapala (bamboo stamps), Pohaku Ku‘i ‘Ai (poi pounder), ‘I‘e Kuku (kapa beater), Ko‘i (stone adze blade), Lei niho palaoa (whale tooth pendant necklace), decorated and undecorated Kapa (bark cloth), Wa‘a (wooden model of a war canoe), Ko‘i kalai (bone adze with wooden handle), Hue Wai (undecorated gourd containers) - Some items transferred from Bishop Museum; others donated by Missionary Lyceum and individuals - Notable requirements: - Some objects have hazardous pesticide residues - Written requests for repatriation required from culturally affiliated parties - No products or services are being procured; this is a cultural repatriation action

Description

Wesleyan University intends to repatriate 13 cultural items classified as sacred objects that have a cultural affiliation with Native Hawaiian organizations. These items include decorated gourd containers, bamboo stamps, a poi pounder, a kapa beater, stone and bone adze blades, a whale tooth pendant necklace, bark cloth, a wooden model of a war canoe, and gourd containers. Some objects were transferred from the Bishop Museum and others donated by the Missionary Lyceum. The repatriation may occur on or after July 22, 2026, and requests for repatriation must be sent to Wesleyan University.

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