A federal panel that will meet this week in Washington, D.C., could affect the course of burial disputes involving the Bishop Museum and various Native Hawaiian organizations trying to recover remains and objects once held by the museum.

At issue is how the federal Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) is used to return remains and certain burial items from various collections to native individuals and groups who can demonstrate a valid claim, either because they are descendants or have a cultural link.

The panel, a review committee that works to help resolve NAGPRA disputes, will take up two Hawaiian issues Saturday:

• The museum's proposal that it be considered a Native Hawaiian organization under the federal law, making it eligible to submit claims for remains and artifacts.

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• The contentious handling of remains and burial objects that Hui Malama reburied at Kawaihae Cave four years ago. In May, the federal review panel found flaws in the way the museum had returned the items to Hui Malama, and declared the repatriation incomplete. In turn, the hui will argue on Saturday that the committee made that finding without a basis in law and without consultation with all parties involved in the case.