Forum

Aloha,

On behalf of U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii, I thank you for your attendance and
participation in our first meeting to determine proper Claimants to the iwi
discovered on the Schofield Barracks Battle Area Complex.  As a federal
agency, the Army is bound to follow the procedures of the Native American
Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).  NAGPRA describes the
rights of the Native American Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian
Organizations (NHO) with respect to the treatment, repatriation and
disposition of human remains and cultural items which they can show a
relationship of lineal descent or cultural affiliation.  The Act empowers
Native American Indian Tribes/NHOs to assert their claim and creates
obligations on the part of the Federal Government to work fairly with
rightful claimants towards an amicable resolution.

Colonel Mulbury is the US Army Garrison Hawaii Commander (GC) and Agency
Official.  He is charged with ensuring that the NAGPRA process is
administered correctly and in accordance with the law.  Namely Colonel
Mulbury's role is to ensure that the right person/persons or NHO/NHOs assist
with making the decisions on disposition and treatment of the iwi.  It is
the responsibility of all Potential Claimants to present a level of evidence
sufficient to demonstrate to the GC the they are connected to the iwi in a
significant enough manner to be granted a say in the future treatment of the
iwi.  Under NAGPRA, evidence to be used to prove cultural affiliation can be
geographical, kinship, biological, archaeological, linguistic, folklore,
oral tradition, historical or other relevant information or expert opinion.
The evidence does not have to prove cultural affiliation to a scientific
certainty, it only needs to show that by a "preponderance of the evidence"
(it is more likely than not) that you or your group are culturally connected
to the iwi.

All Potential Claimants must assume that the GC doesn't have any prior
knowledge of who you are, what NHO you represent and what lineal/cultural
affiliation you have to the iwi.  Subject matter experts from the GC's
staff, and when necessary, from the local community will be utilized to help
him interpret and authenticate the information presented by you.  The
information and claim that you or your NHO is culturally affiliated to the
iwi must originate from you and be supported by your oral and/or written
submission.  Please note that the subject matter experts will not generate
information to establish a claim on your behalf nor will they expand the
supporting information you have provided beyond what you have selected to
present.

For those of you who have graciously shared your family genealogy with
Colonel Mulbury, thank you.  If the information you provided is lacking or
doesn't establish a cultural affiliation with the iwi discovered at the
Schofield BAX, Oahu, please supplement your claim for cultural affiliation
in writing at this time.  For those who have yet to present relevant
information (of the type mentioned above) to the GC so as to enable him to
ascertain whether you should be considered as a Claimant, than this is the
time to do so.  Please understand that failing to give the GC any evidence
in which to make a determination of your cultural affiliation with the iwi,
will result in your being excluded from the NAGPRA process.

Please submit all evidence of your cultural affiliation in writing by 8
October to Dr. Laurie Lucking, Cultural Resource Manager, email to:
laurie.lucking@us.army.mil, or mail to:

Department of the Army
US Army Garrison, Hawaii, Directorate of Public Works Environmental Division
(IMPC-HI-PWE)
947 Wright Ave., Wheeler Army Airfield
Schofield Barracks, HI  96857-5013

The US Army Garrison Hawaii appreciates your patience and cooperation in
properly dealing with this issue.  We are working hard to do the right thing
both under NAGPRA and fundamental notions of fairness and equity.

Sincerely,

Jim Duttweiler
Deputy Garrison Commander
US Army Garrison Hawaii
james.duttweiler@us.army.mil
(808) 656-1153

Note:

I am not going to participate behind close doors--so here is the latest written correspondence that everyone should read and see if they can pay attention to this problem during our busy day.

I am writing the first post as a note.