"The fact that these iwi kupuna were found in flex, confirms they are at least 200-300 years old," says JR Keoneakapu, cultural descendant.
Cultural descendents who observed the site say burial goods were also found with two of the remains, that only Hawaiian chiefs were known to wear.
"Two kupuna of which had leipu on them which signifies they are in fact royalty," says Nalani Wilson-Ku, cultural descendent.
"And indicative that the entire 18 are in close proximity to one another this means they must be related, you don’t mix Ali’i burials with maka’ainana burials," says Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Oahu Island Burial Council.
This is not the first finding on site. 27 previously discovered finds of iwi kupuna were preserved in place, and another 6 were re-interred. Cultural descendents have mixed feelings on what to do with this latest find.
"The best interest for the iwi kupuna is to cover them, leave them alone and move on. Their burials sites must be covered up relocation is not an option," says Keoneakapu.
"I would wish them to be moved in one section, being of royal descendents putting a request they be moved to the place that was designated in the first," says Kanaloa Koko, cultural descendent.
"What we see is particularly troublesome once the development is pau these iwi kupuna will be part of the loading zone, holding up 40 floors of concrete," says Wong-Kalu.
Kewalo Development LLC says it has made changes to its project to accommodate recent finds and will continue to do so if need be. In the meantime, work continues in other areas of the site.
"We are looking at ways to accommodate our foundation system for our building to preserve in place the largest amount of inadvertents we can," says Lance Parker, Kewalo Development LLC.
It is ultimately the State Historic Preservation Division’s call on whether to preserve them in place or relocate the iwi kupuna. They have not yet made that decision.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
