Community condemns ‘desecration and defecation’ of Kauai iwi kupuna found at cesspool conversion site

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Several government officials visited the site of a mandatory septic tank conversion project Monday at Hale Makai Cottages in Wainiha, Kauai.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs says at least eight graves were discovered in June and September.

At a community meeting that night, people with cultural ties to the area said they wanted the septic tanks removed, sifted for new bones, and the iwi kupuna reinterred near their graves.

“Two people are buried. They have a tank in their grave. Between the tank and them there is a piece of plywood called a buffer,” said Megan Wong, a descendant of the culture.

“The adult and child are right on top of each other,” she added.

“You don’t even know who a kupuna is in this land,” said Louise Sauzan, Kupuna council.

“All living bipeds are trying to solve this problem of defilement and defecation. These are two violations,” she added.

“It’s a burial, especially if it’s a Native Hawaiian burial. This should be treated with due respect,” said Dawn Chang, director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

The DLNR State Historic Preservation Division initially decided to keep the burials on site, but in a statement released Thursday to Hawaii News Now, they said they were “communicating with the property owner and consultants about the requirements that must be met before the project can move forward.” . »

After police arrested three people, the state health department issued a stop-work order, but during the meeting acknowledged gaps in the permitting process.

“Through this process, we realized that this was not enough,” said Dr. Kenny Fink, director of the Department of Health Services.

“OHA has advised us that there are concerns about the current situation,” he added.

The property owner did not attend the meeting but previously provided a statement to Hawaii News Now. Chris Arreguin said that “an archaeologist and cultural observers were present at the excavation site” and that “the process was supervised by DLNR and the State Historic Preservation Division.”

OHA is planning another community meeting sometime next month.