What's Being Discussed

• The council will review and approve meeting minutes from August 12, 2026 and September 9, 2026.
• The main item on the agenda is a review of the state's recommendation regarding a descendancy recognition application submitted by Kamuela Kalai. This application relates to Native Hawaiian skeletal remains found within the Waimanalo area (Waimanalo Ahupuaʻa) in the Koʻolaupoko District on Oʻahu.

Descendancy recognition is the process by which an individual establishes a familial or cultural connection to previously discovered Native Hawaiian burial remains. The Oʻahu Island Burial Council oversees decisions about the treatment, protection, and disposition of such remains under state law.

Decisions Expected

• A vote to approve the meeting minutes from the two previous sessions.
• A decision on whether to accept or deny the descendancy recognition application for the Native Hawaiian remains found in Waimanalo. The council will consider the state's formal recommendation as part of this review.

Who Should Pay Attention

• Native Hawaiian community members, particularly those with ties to the Waimanalo and Koʻolaupoko areas.
• Families or individuals who believe they may have a cultural or ancestral connection to Native Hawaiian burial remains on Oʻahu.
• Landowners and developers working in areas where burial sites may be present.
• Anyone interested in the protection and respectful treatment of Native Hawaiian iwi kūpuna (ancestral remains).

The meeting is open to the public and will be livestreamed. A recording link and board packet are available through the DLNR State Historic Preservation Division website.