Whose job is it to guard against the plundering of cultural treasures, which command enormous prices on the black market? It should be government — state as well as federal — holding that duty.

In the most recent artifact case, however, it was a private citizen that acted to recover a stolen Hawaiian artifact. Campbell Estate heiress Abigail Kawananakoa intervened to assist in the recovery of an akua ka'ai, or stick image. The ka'ai was used as a sacred totem in battle and in religious ceremonies.

Kawananakoa demanded its return to a family who had received it from the widow of Prince Jonah Kuhio.

Although the ka'ai has been returned by Hawaiian arts collector and dealer Michael Horikawa, there is still a missing section, an image of a deity. Horikawa, who has said he did not know it had been stolen, is reportedly helping to track down that missing part.

Where is state law enforcement in all of this? Mark Bennett, attorney general, said the state does prosecute and follow tips on stolen artifacts, although he could not comment on specific probes.

Taxpayers can only hope that the state will actively pursue leads and investigate possible charges that could arise from this case.

Authorities in other states where the theft of native artifacts is an even more chronic problem have been part of an aggressive crackdown.

To name one example: A working group, involving federal and local agencies in New Mexico, local authorities in Colorado, Utah and Arizona, investigates crimes.

In Hawai'i, a move is under way to correct a chronic staffing shortage by hiring enforcement officers at the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. It would be logical for this enhancement to produce an enduring force, similar to Mainland efforts, to counter the looting of the Isles' historic legacy.

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