Federal Register #2026-14162

Notice of Intended Repatriation of Native Hawaiian Cultural Items from Bishop Museum

This notice concerns the intended repatriation of cultural items by the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum in Honolulu, Hawaii, under the oversight of the National Park Service (Department of the Interior). - Government Buyer: - National Park Service, Department of the Interior - No OEMs or commercial vendors are involved, as this is not a procurement or award notice - Items for Repatriation: - Approximately 687 cultural items identified as unassociated funerary objects - Includes: kapa samples, canoe fragments, pandanus mat fragments, wooden fire sticks, bundles, lauhala, cordage and fiber supports, wood fragments, netting samples, beaded necklace with dog tooth - Items originate from the Honokoa Gulch Cave Complex (Kawaihae, Forbes, and Mummy Caves) on Hawaii Island - Notable Requirements: - Items are affiliated with Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations - Repatriation is in accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) - Focus is on cultural and historical significance, not commercial procurement

Description

The Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum (BPBM) intends to repatriate approximately 687 cultural items identified as unassociated funerary objects. These items, including kapa samples, canoe fragments, mats, and other cultural materials, have a cultural affiliation with Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. The items originate from the Honokoa Gulch Cave Complex on Hawaii Island and are associated with traditional Native Hawaiian burial practices. Repatriation may occur on or after August 14, 2026, and requests for repatriation must be submitted in writing to the BPBM.

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