Re: Wal-Mart: Chapter 3
This was the Associated Press report on the WM opening at Keeaumoku as published in the San Jose Mercury. The highlighting is my emphasis. Now I know where the bones are. But why did the spokeswoman for WM say the State had to approve the burial? I thought it was between the state and the Hawaiian groups?
Miulang
Customer Surge at Hawaii Wal-Mart Opening
Associated Press
HONOLULU - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. opened a store in Hawaii on Wednesday with hundreds of eager shoppers rushing past a handful of protesters who accuse the giant retailer of desecrating ancient gravesites.
Customers lined up hours ahead and then poured into the discount store after a traditional Hawaiian blessing and the untying of a lei at the main doors.
Native Hawaiian groups had tried to stop the opening until 44 remains of Hawaiians unearthed during construction could be reburied at the Wal-Mart site.
"Wal-Mart's pitch is that it's slashing prices for you. In this instance, it's slashing graves," said Moses Haia, a Native Hawaiian Legal Corp. lawyer who has filed a suit against the store.
Wal-Mart spokeswoman Cynthia Lin said the retailer is treating the Hawaiian remains with respect, placing them "in an air-conditioned, darkened trailer in a secure location on the site." State approval is needed to rebury them on the site, she said.
Wal-Mart's seventh - and largest - store on the islands employs 800 people, bringing the total to 4,400 in Hawaii. The site also has a Sam's Club members-only outlet scheduled to open next week.
This was the Associated Press report on the WM opening at Keeaumoku as published in the San Jose Mercury. The highlighting is my emphasis. Now I know where the bones are. But why did the spokeswoman for WM say the State had to approve the burial? I thought it was between the state and the Hawaiian groups?
Miulang
Customer Surge at Hawaii Wal-Mart Opening
Associated Press
HONOLULU - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. opened a store in Hawaii on Wednesday with hundreds of eager shoppers rushing past a handful of protesters who accuse the giant retailer of desecrating ancient gravesites.
Customers lined up hours ahead and then poured into the discount store after a traditional Hawaiian blessing and the untying of a lei at the main doors.
Native Hawaiian groups had tried to stop the opening until 44 remains of Hawaiians unearthed during construction could be reburied at the Wal-Mart site.
"Wal-Mart's pitch is that it's slashing prices for you. In this instance, it's slashing graves," said Moses Haia, a Native Hawaiian Legal Corp. lawyer who has filed a suit against the store.
Wal-Mart spokeswoman Cynthia Lin said the retailer is treating the Hawaiian remains with respect, placing them "in an air-conditioned, darkened trailer in a secure location on the site." State approval is needed to rebury them on the site, she said.
Wal-Mart's seventh - and largest - store on the islands employs 800 people, bringing the total to 4,400 in Hawaii. The site also has a Sam's Club members-only outlet scheduled to open next week.
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