[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 133 (Thursday, July 11, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45990-45991]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-17415]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
and Associated Funerary Objects in the Possession of the American 
Museum of Natural History, New York, NY

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Notice is hereby given in accordance with provisions of the Native 
American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 43 CFR 10.9, 
of the completion of an inventory of human remains in the possession of 
the American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY.
    This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's 
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 43 CFR 10.2 (c). The 
determinations within this notice are the sole responsibility of the 
museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of these Native 
American human remains and associated funerary objects. The National 
Park Service is not responsible for the determinations within this 
notice.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by American 
Museum of Natural History professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Hawai'i Island Burial Council, Hui Malama I Na 
Kupuna 'O Hawai'i Nei, Kaua'i/Ni'ihau Island Burial Council, Maui/
Lana'i Island Burial Council, Moloka'i Island Burial Council, O'ahu 
Island Burial Council, and Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
    In an unknown year, human remains representing a minimum of one

[[Page 45991]]

individual were collected by an unknown person from ``Sandwich 
Islands.'' The American Museum of Natural History received these 
remains in 1929 as a gift from Jessie Y. Loomis in the name of Earnest 
Yates Loomis, deceased. The American Museum of Natural History's 
documentation states that these human remains had been held by the 
American Institute of Phrenology, but it does not indicate whether Mr. 
or Mrs. Loomis was a member of the American Institute of Phrenology. 
The American Museum of Natural History has no information regarding the 
American Institute of Phrenology's acquisition of these remains. No 
known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    In an unknown year, human remains representing a minimum of one 
individual were collected by an unknown person and identified as a 
``Sandwich Islander from Kahahlooa.'' The American Museum of Natural 
History received these remains in 1929 as a gift from Jessie Y. Loomis 
in the name of Earnest Yates Loomis, deceased. The American Museum of 
Natural History's documentation states that these human remains had 
been held by the American Institute of Phrenology, but it does not 
indicate whether Mr. or Mrs. Loomis was a member of the American 
Institute of Phrenology. American Museum of Natural History 
documentation indicates that, in 1867, these remains were in the 
possession of John Butler, Esq. The American Museum of Natural History 
has no information regarding the American Institute of Phrenology's or 
Mr. Butler's acquisition of these remains. No known individual was 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    These individuals have been identified as Native Hawaiian based on 
the American Museum of Natural History's documentation describing each 
as a ``Sandwich Islander.'' Sandwich Islands is a former name of the 
Hawaiian Islands. Archeological, biological, geographic, linguistic, 
and consultation evidence indicate a lengthy Native Hawaiian occupation 
of the Hawaiian Islands. The geographic location reported for the human 
remains is consistent with the traditional territory of Native 
Hawaiians, represented here by the Hawai'i Island Burial Council, Hui 
Malama I Na Kupuna 'O Hawai'i Nei, Kaua'i/Ni'ihau Island Burial 
Council, Maui/Lana'i Island Burial Council, Moloka'i Island Burial 
Council, O'ahu Island Burial Council, and Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the American 
Museum of Natural History have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 
(d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains 
of a minimum of two individuals of Native Hawaiian ancestry. Officials 
of the American Museum of Natural History also have determined that, 
pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (e), there is a relationship of shared group 
identity that can be reasonably traced between these Native Hawaiian 
human remains and the Hawai'i Island Burial Council, Hui Malama I Na 
Kupuna 'O Hawai'i Nei, Kaua'i/Ni'ihau Island Burial Council, Maui/
Lana'i Island Burial Council, Moloka'i Island Burial Council, O'ahu 
Island Burial Council, and Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Hawai'i Island Burial 
Council, Hui Malama I Na Kupuna 'O Hawai'i Nei, Kaua'i/Ni'ihau Island 
Burial Council, Maui/Lana'i Island Burial Council, Moloka'i Island 
Burial Council, O'ahu Island Burial Council, and Office of Hawaiian 
Affairs. Representatives of any other Native Hawaiian organization that 
believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human remains 
should contact Elaine Guthrie, Acting Director of Cultural Resources, 
American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, 
New York, NY 10024-5192, telephone (212) 769-5835, before August 12, 
2002. Repatriation of the human remains to the Hawai'i Island Burial 
Council, Hui Malama I Na Kupuna 'O Hawai'i Nei, Kaua'i/Ni'ihau Island 
Burial Council, Maui/Lana'i Island Burial Council, Moloka'i Island 
Burial Council, O'ahu Island Burial Council, and Office of Hawaiian 
Affairs may begin after that date if no additional claimants come 
forward.

    Dated: June 18, 2002
Robert Stearns,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 02-17415 Filed 7-10-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-S