James Alalem and other local residents have created a grassroots burial council for the purpose of honoring iwi kupuna (ancestral bones) and the history and culture of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Alalem said he and Joe Kamai were appointed to the
James Alalem and other local residents have created a grassroots burial council for the purpose of honoring iwi kupuna (ancestral bones) and the history and culture of the Hawaiian Kingdom.
Alalem said he and Joe Kamai were appointed to the council by leaders of the Hawaiian Kingdom. It is their goal to keep the bones of their ancestors where they lay, “no matter what it costs,” he said.
“The answer is no, and that is final,” Alalem said of removing people from their final resting places.
While the newly established council feels it has authority, the state says otherwise. “The group and their burial council have no legal status or authority,” said Deborah Ward, information specialist with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.
The Kauai Kanaka Maoli Burial Council will hold a meeting 5 to 9 p.m. Friday at Kapaa Library.
The council aims to protect the iwi kupuna and culture “from further desecration and removal without the blessing, consent and direct participation of the kanaka maoli people and Hawaiian nationals,” according to its mission statement.
Alalem said the state is not living up to its promise that it will take care of the burials.
“We’re going to have to be there and make sure that they’re going to hear our voices,” he said.
