As much as I don't like agreeing with Timkona, the truth is the truth. It seems that bones were not so sacred to the Kanaka Maoli of old and this sacredness is a purely recent phenomena. I was just reading this . Human bones were very valuable as raw material for fishhooks. The dead were buried in secret for fear the bones would be dug up to make fishhooks!
Kahue, sworn: ...I know Puuokihe. It belonged to Kaohe, and above that is where people were buried in old times, when people used to make fish hooks from the bones... Formerly when any one died, on all those lands, Kaao, Kaawikiwiki &c would not wail ‒ at night wrap up [bodies] and take into the mountain and bury secretly, lest the bones be used to make fish hooks... [Volume B:444]
Nainoa, sworn: ... There are graves on Puuokiha, and also at Iolehaehae, and many other places. In old times, if any one died, could not wail, lest people come and steal their bones for fish hooks; so used to carry body secretly and bury in mountain... [Volume B:447]
Nainoa, sworn: ... There are graves on Puuokiha, and also at Iolehaehae, and many other places. In old times, if any one died, could not wail, lest people come and steal their bones for fish hooks; so used to carry body secretly and bury in mountain... [Volume B:447]
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