SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA. The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the FAMSF, and additional information on the determinations in this notice, including the results of consultation, can be found in the summary or related records. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.

Abstract of Information Available

A total of four cultural items have been requested for repatriation. The four sacred objects are one niho palaoa (pendant) and three lei hulu (feathered lei). The items were a gift to FAMSF in 1977 from Mrs. Lloyd (Joan) Dowsett Osborne (1916-2014), Kailua, Hawai'i, in memory of her grandmother, Mrs. John M. Dowsett (Wilhelmina Kekelokalaninui) (1861-1929).

Based on the claim and testimony during consultation, the four items described in this notice have been identified as sacred objects according to the Native American traditional knowledge of a lineal descendant. The NAGPRA regulations require deference to the Native American traditional knowledge of lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations.

Determinations

The FAMSF has determined that:

• The four sacred objects described in this notice are specific ceremonial objects needed by a traditional Native American religious leader for present-day adherents to practice traditional Native American religion, according to the Native American traditional knowledge of a lineal descendant.
• Allan Dowsett is connected to the cultural items described in this notice.

Requests for Repatriation

Additional, written requests for repatriation of the cultural items in this notice must be sent to the authorized representative identified in this notice under ADDRESSES . Requests for repatriation may be submitted by any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice who shows, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the requestor is a lineal descendant or a culturally affiliated Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization.

Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after November 23, 2026. If competing requests for repatriation are received, the FAMSF must determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the cultural items are considered a single request and not competing requests. The FAMSF is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to all requestors and any other consulting parties.

Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3004 and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.9.

91 FR 66728