Ancient CHamoru artifacts returned to Guam from Hawaii after 100 years
BY SKYLER OBISPO
Journal Staff
On Oct. 24, hundreds of people gathered at the Skinner Plaza Park in Hagåtña for the rematriation ceremony of latte stones to Guam from the Bishop Museum in Honolulu.
The artifacts were part of the collection from amateur archaeologist Hans Hornbostel, who collected thousands of cultural artifacts in the 1920s from Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.
According to Lt. Gov. Joshua F. Tenorio, Hornbostel’s collection totals more than 10,000 recorded items, including human remains.
Gov. Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero said at the ceremony, that the rematriation of the latte stones was a long time coming.
“The latte stones, as you read their history, are all over our Marianas. It’s really a history that connects all of us,” she said.
Tenorio reflected on the “painful truth” regarding the removal of the artifacts from the Marianas.
A child pays respects to the returned latte following the blessing of the artifacts. Photo by Skyler Obispo
“It is a painful truth that the U.S. Navy played a role in the removal of our … over 10,000 cultural artifacts associated with the Hornbostel collection,” he said. “It is my hope that the Navy’s assistance in [the rematriation] process marks a new beginning, one of genuine accountability, reconciliation, and sustained action.”
Melvin Won Pat-Borja, president of the Department of CHamoru Affairs said the reason why the department chose Skinner’s Plaza as the site for the rematriation is so that the people of Guam can directly connect with their ancestral artifacts.
“I encourage all of you to invite your friends, your family, to be here, to connect with these lattes. These [are] very important symbols of our history, but also invite them to take part in the active protection of these lattes,” he said. “It’s a blessing that they are here and it is our responsibility to protect them for our children.”
The remaining artifacts are still on their way from Honolulu. Won Pat-Borja said the department is working out the logistics for getting the rest of the artifacts returned to Guam.
Matson Navigation in Guam and Hawaii helped facilitate the first delivery of the artifacts to Guam.
Philip Santos, senior account executive at Matson, told the Journal the task aligns with the company’s values and initiatives to support history and tradition.
“Matson has a full and rich history of working with companies and organizations like this, locally and in Hawaii,” he said. “And so, naturally our route from Hawaii to Guam fits right into the ability to carry [the artifacts] to Guam.”
Santos said the company engaged with key members at the Bishop Museum and its office in Hawaii to get the items to Guam, cleared through customs, and onto the site earlier that week.
Personally, Santos said the project was a matter of protecting and respecting the CHamoru culture, especially when looking towards the future.
“It’s good to see all the young[er] generations that are here, they’re going to be stewards and protectors of these artifacts for the future,” he said. mbj
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