Hawaiians rejoice at return of Captain Cook's cloak

Transcript

Hawaiians are rejoicing at the return of a feather cloak and helmet gifted to Captain Cook in 1779.

A 50 strong delegation from Hawaii has arrived in New Zealand to collect the traditional treasures.

Koro Vaka'uta reports.

Calling for the return of their treasures.  

The strikingly colourful 'ahu'ula and mahiole were a gift from the Hawaiian chief Kalani'ōpu'u to Captain Cook. The cloak and helmet have been in Te Papa's collection since they were gifted to the national museum in 1912, but are about to make the long journey home. The Chief Executive of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Kamana'opono Crabbe, says it is an emotional moment for his islands.   

DR KAMANA'OPONO CRABBE: In Hawai'i we say 'te mea nui, he mea nui mea kupaianaha'. It is so tremendous it is indescribable in terms of the emotion.

Te Papa's Kaihautu or Maori leader, Arapata Hakiwai, says the return of the taonga (treasure) is a celebration.

DR ARAPATA HAKIWAI: The significance really is we are returning these treasures in the same season 237 years later, back to Hawai'i. I think, for the Hawaiian people these important treasures have been away from their land for that amount of time. It is a great celebration to reunite them and to return them to their land and to their people.

 
Dr Crabbe agrees the timing is ideal.

DR KAMANA'OPONO CRABBE: It's really remarkable because when Kalani'opu'u gave the 'ahu'ula and mahiole to Captain Cook, he was doing Makahiki season. The time of Lono and peace and agriculture and feasting and harvesting. Right now we are just closing Makahihi. It's almost like the spirits and the ancestors are with us. All the stars are aligned. It's tremendous.

Marques Hanalei Marzan is a curator at the Bishop Museum where the taonga will go on display later this month. He says it will be displayed in the main hall as a source of inspiration.

MARQUES HANALEI MARZAN: This is a moment for reconnections of family members, lineal descendants to connect back to their kupuna. For visitors and other people around the world, as well as across the islands, to come and pay their respects to these sacred treasures.

Mr Marzan says out of all existing Hawaiian featherwork the taonga are the only ones with an unbroken provenance and lineage. He says the return signifies an ongoing strengthening of the link between Maori and the people of Hawai'i.

MARQUES HANALEI MARZAN: We are all a large ohana. Even though the ocean separates us, we don't see it as a separation, we see it as a thing that joins us all together. It is definitely making us stronger, making us feel closer to one another because of these connections that we are making today.

Dr Hakiwai says although the taonga have officially been loaned to the Bishop Museum for 10 years, there are discussions to extend that or possibly make it permanent.

DR ARAPATA HAKIWAI: That's the desire and the feeling I think with the discussions we have had with the Bishop museum. I think that is great because we know that Maori taonga [is] held in overseas museums as well and we have started at some stage to build the relationship so those treasures can come home as well.

Dr Crabbe from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs agrees.

DR KAMANA'OPONO CRABBE: They have a number of Taonga Maori there and Bishop Museum will be in discussions. It's only proper.  It's only very Polynesian to aloha aku, aloha mai. When you give, you receive in compassion. To reciprocate, that is a tradition.

The Taonga leave New Zealand's shores on Sunday, and will be exhibited in the Bishop Museum from March the 19th.