Fall 1993, No. 2

Going Home: Henry Opukaha'ia Returns to Hawaii

The Office of State Archaeology and the Connecticut Historical Commission have facilitated the return of the mortal remains of Henry Opukaha'ia from Cornwall, Connecticut to his ancestral homeland in Hawaii. Born circa 1792 near Hilo, Hawaii, Henry Opukaha'ai was among the first native Hawaiians to depart the islands for the United States. Arriving in this country, Henry was befriended by Timothy Dwight, then president of Yale College, who assisted with Henry's education and religious training. A foreign mission school was subsequently established in Cornwall, where Henry Opukaha'ia resided until his death on February 17, 1818. Henry Opukaha'ia was instrumental in the mission school's introduction of Christianity to the Hawaiian Islands.

Pursuant to an inquiry from Ahahui O Opukaha'ia, a Hawaiian family organization, the United Church of Christ (Hartford) formally requested the disinterment and return of Henry Opukaha'ia. The Connecticut Historical Commission coordinated with the Cornwall Cemetery Association and the United Church of Christ regarding the preservation of Henry's gravestone and surrounding historic grave sites. Heat-dried pineapples, leis, and other items left as grave offerings were collected for safekeeping and for subsequent replacement upon restoration of the grave site.

During July 1993, the Office of State Archaeology excavated, documented, and recovered the osteological remains of Henry Opukaha'ia. Dr. Michael Park, Central Connecticut State University, University of Connecticut archaeology students, and members of Rescue Archaeology Conservation Explorers under the direction of David Cooke provided technical assistance.

The osteological remains were extremely well-preserved. No associated cultural material was discovered, except for severely deteriorated coffin nails, a fragmented glass viewing plate, and a well preserved portion of the coffin lid. The latter artifact was preserved by brass tacks that formed the initials "H" and "O" and the number "26" (Henry's age at death) and which were encircled by additional brass tacks in the form of a heart motif.

The osteological remains and the decorated coffin lid were transferred to Ahahui O Opukaha'ia through the custodianship of the Henry L. Fuqua Funeral Service (Hartford). A farewell service was held at the First United Church of Christ Congregational Church in Cornwall on July 25, 1993. The farewell luau and reinterment will be at Kahikolu Congregational Church Cemetery, Hilo, Hawaii.

The Cornwall Cemetery Association, under the direction of president William Dineen and sexton John O'Donnell, has restored Henry Opukaha'ia's grave site and Henry's remains reside peacefully in Hawaii, while the original tombstone remains in Cornwall.

For more information regarding Connecticut's repatriation policies, contact:

archnet@spirit.lib.ucon.edu