Hawaiian Bones -- The 3 Rs -- Rites For the Dead, Rights Of the Living, and Respect for All

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Burial remains are sometimes found when new roads or buildings are under construction in Hawaii.  If bones are found which appear more than a century old or seem to be native Hawaiian, a lengthy decision-making process begins.   Must the bones be left in place? If so, then multimillion dollar redesign might be necessary to avoid disturbing the bones, or the project might get cancelled because there would be no way to avoid disturbing them.  Can the bones be moved out of the way to let the project go forward?  Who decides, and on what criteria?

This essay does not seek to describe current decision-making standards and procedures.  This essay is a philosophical inquiry into some of the historical, legal, and moral issues involved in deciding what to do when respect for ancient burials clashes with current economic desires and social needs.