Museum Hands Back Sacred Items to Native Communities
Published Date: 12/19/2025
Notice
Summary
The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History plans to return three sacred Native Hawaiian cultural items—a fishhook, bark cloth, and mat—to the rightful tribes starting January 20, 2026. This repatriation honors Native traditions and respects their cultural heritage. No money changes hands, but the museum is making sure these special objects go back home where they belong.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Museum Plans Return of Three Hawaiian Items
The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History intends to return three sacred Native Hawaiian cultural items—a makau (fishhook), kapa (bark cloth), and moena lauhala (mat)—to affiliated Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. The museum says these items meet the definition of sacred objects under NAGPRA and have a cultural affiliation with Hui Iwi Kuamo[revaps]o.
Repatriation Earliest Date Set
The museum may repatriate the three cultural items on or after January 20, 2026. That is the earliest date when the transfers described in this notice can occur.
Who Can Request Repatriation
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not already identified in the notice can send a written request for repatriation to the museum, but must show by a preponderance of the evidence that they are a lineal descendant or culturally affiliated. Requests must be sent to the museum contact listed in the notice.
Competing and Joint Requests Rules
If competing requests for the items are received, the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History must determine the most appropriate requestor before repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation are treated as a single request and not as competing requests.
Museum Determines Items Are Sacred Ceremonial Objects
The museum has determined that the three items are specific ceremonial objects needed by a traditional Native American religious leader for present-day practice, based on traditional knowledge from a lineal descendant, tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization.
No Records of Hazardous Treatment
The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History reports it has no records indicating any of the three cultural items were treated with potentially hazardous substances. The museum noted the makau was collected around 1900, the kapa was collected about 1900, and the moena lauhala was collected in the late 19th or early 20th century.
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