Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 00, Number 1, 1 Iune 1982 — KO KULEANA KEIA? [ARTICLE]

KO KULEANA KEIA?

Do You Folks Do Thls . . .?

Everyday the Office receives a wide variety of calls. Some of those calls are promptly processed and answered with services or help, while others, well . . . either we don't want to duplicate the services of other agencies or we just are not capable of helping. This eolumn is to help everyone understand some of the things we ean do and what things we just can't do. We hope it will be a regular feature of this newspaper. 1. This was heard on Maui: "I heard that OHA is looking at delinquent tax properties to purchase them. . ." OHA: No. We are not looking in that direction. We are only concerned with utilizing ceded lands under the State. 2. Heard on Oahu: "Is OH A going to get back all the ceded lands and form thier own government?" OHA: That would be contradicting the present government, definitely no. 3. Heard before a community meeting: "Eh! Bra. You know OHA? Dey waste time. Dey no help you rebuild house." OHA: We are not established for construction purposes. We are concentrating on programs benefiting our entire Hawaiian community. 4. "How eome I don't qualify for your program? I'm Hawaiian; I registered to vote in the OHA election." OHA: As defined in the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920, as amended a Native Hawaiian is "a descendant of not less than one-half part of the races inhabiting the Hawaiian Islands previous to

1778." We are mandated to serve anyone having 50% or more Hawaiian blood. Letter to the Editor Dear Editor, On June 3rd I picked up a copy of Hidden Honolulu, because I was curious to see how a casual type of product would present the language, culture and history of the Hawaiians within just a few pages. I take issue with a particular statement on page 17, first paragraph, second sentence I quote: "The Hawaiians were cannibals ..." I am bringing this problem to the attention of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs because I know that the culture of the Hawaiian people is the only valid definition of our race (Other than this we have the same blood, bones and DNA strand as other races of the human species.) While it is our right to justify questionable aspects of conduct among our ancestors, we must strongly protest and, if necessary, legally oppose those who cavalierly "invent" our history for us. This is an ongoing challenge for every Hawaiian in his or her relationship with "the haole" because we are the disserved, dispossessed, displaced and disfranchised. To many Hawaiians OHA represents the unifying force empowered to turn back the spear of public onslaught against the spirituality, pride and character of their race. OHA, with all its day-to-day mundane, monetary concerns, is also the breath of the people. Me Ke Aloha Pumehana, Leona M. Atcherley