Final fate of Kauai iwi kupuna still to be determined

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – On Monday, multiple government officials visited the site of a mandatory cesspool conversion project at the Hale Makai Cottages in Wainiha, Kauai.
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs says there are at least eight burials found in June and and September.
That night at a community meeting, those with cultural ties to the area say they want the septic tanks removed, sifting to search for more bones, and reinternment of the iwi kupuna near their graves.
“There are two humans that are buried. There is a tank in their grave with them. There is a piece of ply board that’s called their buffer between the tank and them,” said Megan Wong, a cultural descendant.
“There is an adult and a child right on top of each other,” she added.
“You don’t even know who the kupuna is in that ground,” said Louise Sausan, Kupuna Council.
“Everybody alive two legged is trying to solve this problem of desecration and defecation. That’s two violations,” she added.
“It is a burial especially if it’s a Native Hawaiian burial. It should be given due respect,” said Dawn Chang, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Director.
The DLNR’s State Historic Preservation Division initially made a determination to preserve the burials in place, but in a statement Thursday to Hawaii News Now said it’s “communicating with the property owner and consultants on requirements that need to be met before the project can move forward.”
After police arrested three people, the state health department issued a stop work order, but during the meeting acknowledged gaps during the permitting process.
“Through this process we’ve learned that that is inadequate,” said Dr. Kenny Fink, Department of Health, director.
“We were consulted by OHA that there were concerns about the current situation,” he added.
The property owner was not at the meeting, but issued a previous statement to Hawaii News Now. Chris Arreguin said “an archeologist and cultural monitors were onsite for the digging” and that the “process was overseen by the DLNR and State Historic Preservation Division.”
OHA is planning another community meeting some time next month.
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