http://www.khon2.com/news/local/18917479.htmlWebsite Claims to Sell Hawaiian SkullsBy Olena RubinThe FBI along with Big Island police are searching for a man who claims he is selling native Hawaiian human skulls on the internet.A website based out of Hilo says it has a variety of native Hawaiian human skulls for sale.“You have to be sick to do that,” Trask said.Former member of the Island Burial Council, Haunani-Kay Trask, is angry because of what she saw on the website.“They are not embarrassed that they are grave robbers? Here we are come and buy it on the internet it’s just revolting,” Trask said.Andrew Walden, an editor for the Hawaii Free Press, called the number on the website and spoke with a man who called himself “Conrad.”“At first he pretended that I had the wrong number and then when I mentioned that I was calling about a website that sold skulls for $600 he said that's a good price!” Walden said.Walden set up a meeting with him...but Conrad didn't show.“He was very fearful that somebody might be a police officer trying to capture him,” Walden said.Walden called again.“He pretended not to know what I was talking about and at other times talked about having whole skeletons for sale,” Walden said.According to the Department of Land and Natural Resources..."The matter is currently being investigated...we cannot comment at this time."Federal Law says it's illegal to sell, purchase or use human remains of a Native American for profit.In 1990 an Act was passed ensuring an even higher protection for Native Hawaiian burial sites.“You don't have to be a Hawaiian to feel that grave robbing is horrific,” Trask said.A few of the images have been copied from a unrelated website based out of Berkley...they say those skulls for sale are from China and it’s legal to sell them in the US.The website claims the bones are privately collected by contracted specialists from the Imiloa Astronomy Center.Officials from the center say they “were appalled at the blatant misuse of our name and want to be clear that ‘Imiloa has no affiliation with, or knowledge of this organization, and that we strongly condemn their unethical business practices.”If caught the seller could face jail time and thousands of dollars in fines.
http://www.khon2.com/news/local/18917479.htmlWebsite Claims to Sell Hawaiian SkullsBy Olena RubinThe FBI along with Big Island police are searching for a man who claims he is selling native Hawaiian human skulls on the internet.A website based out of Hilo says it has a variety of native Hawaiian human skulls for sale.“You have to be sick to do that,” Trask said.Former member of the Island Burial Council, Haunani-Kay Trask, is angry because of what she saw on the website.“They are not embarrassed that they are grave robbers? Here we are come and buy it on the internet it’s just revolting,” Trask said.Andrew Walden, an editor for the Hawaii Free Press, called the number on the website and spoke with a man who called himself “Conrad.”“At first he pretended that I had the wrong number and then when I mentioned that I was calling about a website that sold skulls for $600 he said that's a good price!” Walden said.Walden set up a meeting with him...but Conrad didn't show.“He was very fearful that somebody might be a police officer trying to capture him,” Walden said.Walden called again.“He pretended not to know what I was talking about and at other times talked about having whole skeletons for sale,” Walden said.According to the Department of Land and Natural Resources..."The matter is currently being investigated...we cannot comment at this time."Federal Law says it's illegal to sell, purchase or use human remains of a Native American for profit.In 1990 an Act was passed ensuring an even higher protection for Native Hawaiian burial sites.“You don't have to be a Hawaiian to feel that grave robbing is horrific,” Trask said.A few of the images have been copied from a unrelated website based out of Berkley...they say those skulls for sale are from China and it’s legal to sell them in the US.The website claims the bones are privately collected by contracted specialists from the Imiloa Astronomy Center.Officials from the center say they “were appalled at the blatant misuse of our name and want to be clear that ‘Imiloa has no affiliation with, or knowledge of this organization, and that we strongly condemn their unethical business practices.”If caught the seller could face jail time and thousands of dollars in fines.
Comments