Blog

For Immediate Release

May 28, 2010


Hawaiian Community Angered by Desecration of Burials atSchofield
Barracks

Lihuʻe, Oʻahu. Representatives from severalorganizations
concerned over the U.S. Armyʻs recent disturbance of ʻiwi kupuna
(ancestral
remains) visited the site on Schofield Barracks where a cultural complex
was
disturbed by Stryker-related construction. They were told by Laurie
Lucking,
cultural resource manager for U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii, that the area
where the
ʻiwi kupuna was unearthed would be 'closed forever.' But military
construction
and training continue to destroy many other cultural sites in a large
expanse of
land sacred to native Hawaiians.

Leimaile Quitevis, formercultural
monitor who documented many of the sites in Lihu'e and a member of the
Oʻahu
Island Burial Council comments on the significance of the cultural site
complex.
"Hundreds of archaeological site features have been identified in the
immediate
vicinity of Stryker Brigade construction. In addition, more than 300
surface
artifacts were collected by Army representatives. The massive amount of
cultural
properties located in this area help to paint the picture of the
pre-contact
land use of Lihue. The significance and importance of this landscape to
Kanaka
Maoli is limitless. Lihuʻe was once the ruling center of Oʻahu, hosting
famous
rulers and infamous battles. This history is important when evaluating
and
assessing the historic properties that have been identified. These sites
are not
isolated 'archaeological sites.' They are features, pieces of a puzzle,
and
parts of a whole. These sites are part of a complex that laments and
praises the
history and culture of our ancestors. Several bone fragments have been
documented throughout the project area. None of these bones have ever
been
positively identified by a qualified osteologist. In addition clusters
of
artifacts are treated as isolated finds rather than actual sites. To
date this
project has damaged numerous petroglyphs, desecrated a minimum of two
individual’s graves and breached the site protective measures of
Haleauau
Heiau."

"The Army failed to do adequate cultural siteinvestigations and
consultations before drawing up and proceeding with its Stryker brigade
plans,"
said Summer Mullins a representative from Kipuka, one of the three
native
Hawaiian groups involved in the 2004 litigation against Stryker
expansion. This
was the first time that she and many others were given access to the
area once
recognized as the seat of government for Oʻahu aliʻi. In the past,
groups had
made several requests for access that were ignored or denied by the
Army.


She added, "This desecration was completely avoidable. It wasnot an
ʻinadvertent discovery,' as the Army claims. They need to be held
responsible
for their actions. The Army failed to listen to the strong concerns
raised by
cultural monitors and community members years ago about the cultural
importance
of the Lihu'e area. Our wahi pana and wahi kapu are not appropriate
training
areas."

"When our Kanaka Maoli people say do not disturb an areabut
their advice is not followed, this does not constitute "proactive
dialogue."
Desecration was predictable. We are faced with the problem that the Army

occupies a vast area that physically retains important cultural sites
and burial
grounds. No matter what, access to these sites must be guaranteed to our
Kanaka
Maoli people. It is their traditional right to visit, care for and
continue
passing on history to the next generation," said Terri Keko'olani of the

American Friends Service Committee.

Representatives were angeredby the
Armyʻs initial claim that they were protecting the discovery, as their
actions
painted a completely different picture. "The assertion that 'all work
was
immediately halted' is false. The contract archaeologist for Garcia and
Associates (GANDA) ordered digging and grading to continue after the
first ʻiwi
was found, a violation of Federal and State laws that call for all
activity to
cease. Earth moving activity stopped only after more bones were
exposed," added
Leimaile Quitevis.

According to Tom Lenchanko, spokesperson forlineal
descendants of the area, "The families object to any process where our
human
remains are damaged, with no sensitivity to the lands of our Lo Aliʻi -
Lihuʻe,
Wahiawa and Helemano encompassing over 35,000 acres that is Kukaniloko.
This is
our national treasure. Our kupuna are all over that aina, and the
military is
blatantly disrespecting our ancestral burial sites."

"This isHawaiian
land, we all know that the US military has no moral or legal authority
over our
lands or resources," said Andre Perez of Hui Pu. "Relocating the bones
of our
ancestors for warfare training is unacceptable. It is the military who
needs to
relocate."

Noelani DeVincent, kumu hula and member of theWahiawa
Hawaiian Civic Club was heartbroken to see this sacred place ripped
apart, "It
was a really emotional experience to see such a huge wrong being done
towards
our people. It is our kuleana to right this wrong, but how can we trust
the Army
will take care of this place?"

Leimaile Quitevis added "Ourkupuna are
calling us to look to the lands of Lihuʻe. We must kukulu kumuhana (pull
our
strengths) and work together to defend the bones of our ancestors and
the rich
history of this ʻāina."

Other participants in the culturalaccess
include Kai Markell and Kamoa Quitevis of the Office of Hawaiian
Affairs,
William Aila of Hui Malama i Na Kupuna, Melva Aila of Hui Malama o
Makua, and
Kyle Kajihiro of the American Friends Service Committee.


[cid:3357919730_62044062]

Photo by Kai Markell at Lihu'ecomplex, Schofield Barracks. Many significant cultural sites are being

destroyed by current Stryker-related construction.

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Photo by Kai Markell at Lihuʻecomplex, Schofield Barracks. Concerned Native Hawaiians and community

members inspect damage to cultural sites caused by Stryker-relatedconstruction.