Stryker brigade expansion project disturbed Native Hawaiian Burials (iwi kupuna) in the Lihu’e / Schofield Barracks area. Community groups told the Army that the entire area was culturally significant and needed to be protected from military activity. Native Hawaiian cultural monitors rediscovered the Hale’au’au Heiau that the Army had listed as destroyed. This put a cramp on their plans for the Stryker expansion. As as result the cultural monitors were removed from the project. Now new cultural monitors have identified the bones of iwi kupuna. The Army must stop the Stryker project. It is a corrupt, destructive and wasteful project that is driven by political motives to entrench the Army in Hawai’i. Strykers Out of Hawai’i!
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From: Doane, Loran Mr CIV US USA IMCOM [mailto:Loran.Doane@us.army.mil]
Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2010 1:28 PM
Subject: Army Protects Discovery at Schofield (UNCLASSIFIED)
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: FOUO
Release number: 2010-05-06
May 18, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Army Protects Discovery at Schofield
SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii – Army-contracted archaeological and cultural monitors discovered suspected human remains on a Schofield Barracks construction site, Friday, while supervising a routine ground excavation.
Army archaeologists and cultural resource specialists were immediately dispatched to the site to make an initial determination as to whether the remains were likely human. Dr. James Pokines, forensic anthropologist with the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, confirmed on Saturday that the remains were indeed human.
Protective fencing has been erected in the area, and all construction activities at the site have been halted until further notice.
Procedures in the form of an “Inadvertent Discovery Plan” were in place and put into action, with site identification, protection and notifications to the Hawaii State Historic Preservation Office (HSHP) and the Oahu Burial Council (OBC).
“Anytime there is construction taking place and in which digging occurs,there is always a possibility that one could encounter an unexpected find,” said Laurie Lucking, Cultural Resource manager for U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii. “It is for this reason that we have contingency plans and procedures in place so that finds like this can be treated with the utmost dignity and respect.”
The Army will continue to work closely with the necessary state and federal agencies, to ensure compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act in order to protect and preserve Hawaii’s rich historical and cultural heritage.
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MEDIA NOTE: Media who would like should contact Loran Doane, Media Relations chief, U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii Public Affairs at (808) 656-3157 or cell (317)-847-2222.
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: FOUO
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