Hawaiian Relics Travel from Midwest Museum Back Home
Published Date: 2/23/2026
Notice
Summary
The Illinois State Museum plans to return four sacred Hawaiian cultural items, including kapa cloth and cordage, to Native Hawaiian groups starting March 25, 2026. These items, bought in 1863 and held since 1890, are important for traditional religious practices. If you want to request repatriation, act soon and contact the museum directly—no money changes hands, just respect and care for culture.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Four Hawaiian Sacred Items Returned
The Illinois State Museum plans to return four sacred Native Hawaiian items — three sections of kapa cloth and one piece of cordage (kaula) — beginning on or after March 25, 2026. The museum says the items were purchased in 1863 and donated to the museum in 1890; written requests should be sent to Brooke M. Morgan at the Illinois State Museum Research & Collections Center (1011 East Ash Street, Springfield, IL 62703) or the email address listed in the notice.
Who Can Request Repatriation
Any lineal descendant or Native Hawaiian organization (including those not named in the notice) may submit a written request for these items by showing, by a preponderance of the evidence, that they are a lineal descendant or a culturally affiliated Native Hawaiian organization. If competing requests are received, the Illinois State Museum must decide the most appropriate requestor before repatriating the items; joint requests are treated as a single request.
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