Hawaii County officials on Thursday said they are coordinating with experts and cultural practitioners to ensure the proper recovery and protection of burials displaced by flooding from Hurricane Lala.

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Flooding caused by Lala unearthed and washed away burials at Na‘alehu Cemetery. An effort led by the Hawaii National Guard to document displaced burials has identified 69 sets of human remains in the area, according to the county.

“The discovery of burials within the flood area was heartbreaking for the Na‘alehu community, and their pain is shared by our entire island,” Mayor Kimo Alameda said Thursday in a statement. “After receiving concerning reports of human remains, caskets and headstones below the cemetery, we contacted experts across the state for assistance, blocked off the area, and ensured that no debris removal happens nearby.

“We want to assure the community that every step of this recovery process is being carried out with compassion, care and respect for the deceased and their descendants.”

Guidance and support for the collection and documentation of remains is being provided by Maui Department of ‘Oiwi Resources and state Department of Health.

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Specialists assisting with the effort include cultural practitioners, archaeologists, forensic anthropologists, osteologists and a special response team from the Hawaii National Guard.

“We are working expeditiously and collaboratively with other agencies and subject-matter experts, including cultural practitioners and the faith-based community, to ensure the collection, storage, and identification of human remains is done properly and respectfully,” said Acting Civil Defense Administrator Darryl Oliveira. “Our goal is to complete as much of the recovery as we can before the arrival of the next storm,” which is expected to bring heavy rain to the island over the weekend.

“We will also be working closely with families and their spiritual representatives so that reinterment happens in line with their wishes,” he said. “If anyone finds remains, we ask that they leave them in place and immediately contact Civil Defense at (808) 935-0031.”

Residents with questions about the cemetery and condition of burial plots can contact Parks and Recreation at 961-8311 or [email protected].

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