Relating To Burial Sites.
The bill proposes establishing an inter-division program aimed at locating, moving, and restoring Hawaiian burial sites that are at risk due to coastal erosion. The collaboration involves multiple stakeholders, including state and county agencies, Hawaiian organizations, and community groups. This coordinated effort is intended to provide guidance and technical assistance to handle the movement and relocation of iwi to inland areas while maintaining genealogical and cultural connections. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for financial appropriations necessary to implement these initiatives over the upcoming fiscal years. The legislation seeks to ensure that both Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian burial sites receive appropriate attention and safeguarding techniques amidst changing environmental conditions.
Senate Bill 734 aims to address the critical issue of Hawaiian burial sites, particularly those that are increasingly threatened by coastal erosion due to climate change. The bill acknowledges the cultural significance of traditional Hawaiian burials, which involve treating human remains as iwi and interring them in culturally appropriate ways. With rising sea levels and extreme weather events leading to greater vulnerability of these sites, the legislation stresses the urgency of safeguarding these culturally significant areas for future generations. The bill outlines a framework for a collaborative inter-division program between various state entities, including the State Historic Preservation Division and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, to manage the relocation and preservation of iwi exposed to erosion to ensure cultural ties remain intact.
While there is significant support for this bill given its cultural importance, potential contention may arise regarding the execution of the proposed inter-division program. Concerns could be raised about the effectiveness of collaboration between various stakeholders and the possible bureaucratic challenges in relocating burial sites. Moreover, how the financial aspects are managed, including funding for the movement and restoration of burial sites impacted by coastal erosion, may become a subject of debate as these actions are vital yet sensitive due to the cultural implications. Enacting this bill would thus require careful navigation of both logistical and emotional challenges surrounding the treatment of iwi and burial sites.