Bill > HCR189

This Concurrent Resolution expresses support for and urges the return of Native Hawaiian art, cultural items, and iwi kupuna (ancestral remains) from both within and outside the United States. It acknowledges international agreements and laws, such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the UNESCO 1970 Convention, which aim to protect and repatriate cultural property, as well as the U.S. Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and federal laws that penalize the unlawful transport of ancestral remains. The resolution highlights the cultural significance of these items to Native Hawaiian identity and heritage, noting that many have been inappropriately taken or are missing, including items from Iolani Palace. It calls on various U.S. government officials, including Secretaries of State, Interior, Commerce, Homeland Security, and the Attorney General, to consult with Native Hawaiian organizations, investigate illegal trafficking, and develop regulations to prevent it, while also urging state agencies and the Governor to cooperate with domestic and international entities to facilitate repatriation efforts.