# 2026-18964: Met Gives Back Sacred God Figure to Hawaiian Ancestors

2026-18964, Notice of Intended Repatriation: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY, is a Federal Register notice from Interior Department, National Park Service published 2026-09-16, effective 2026-10-16 (as of 2026-09-23).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-18964
- As of: 2026-09-23
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-18964
- Title: Notice of Intended Repatriation: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
- Type: Notice
- Agencies: Interior Department; National Park Service
- Citation: 91 FR 58699
- Published: 2026-09-16
- Effective: 2026-10-16
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-09-23

## In one line

Met Gives Back Sacred God Figure to Hawaiian Ancestors

## Summary

The Metropolitan Museum of Art plans to return a sacred wooden deity figure to its Native Hawaiian descendants starting October 16, 2026. This special item was used in important religious ceremonies and has a clear connection to the Hale o Keawe site on Hawaii’s Big Island. No money changes hands, but this repatriation honors Native traditions and respects cultural heritage.

## Abstract

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) intends to repatriate a certain cultural item that meet the definition of a sacred object and that has a known lineal descendant.

## Effects PRIA read

- Met to Repatriate One Sacred Deity Figure: benefit, low. The Metropolitan Museum of Art intends to repatriate one sacred wooden deity figure (akua k̄'ai), former accession number 1979.206.1625, that is connected to the Hale o Keawe site on Hawaiʻi's Big Island. The Museum says a known lineal descendant is connected to this item and repatriation may occur…
- Who Can Request Repatriation and Process Rules: benefit, low. Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization may submit a written request for repatriation to Jennifer Day, NAGPRA Coordinator & Community Liaison at The Met (1000 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10028; email: [email protected]) by showing by a preponderance of the evidence that…

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## Sources
- [2026-18964 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/16/2026-18964/notice-of-intended-repatriation-the-metropolitan-museum-of-art-new-york-ny)
- [2026-18964 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-09-16/pdf/2026-18964.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-18963, Notice of Inventory Completion: University of California, Santa Barbara, Reposi…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-18963)
- [Next: 2026-18965, Notice of Intended Repatriation: Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa, OK](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-18965)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-18964 (as of 2026-09-23).