Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 1, Number 4, 1 May 1984 — Political Target [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Political Target

By Walter Ritte Trustee, Moloka'i

Here 1 am again, selling a lot of newspapers being the bad guy— this time fighting the State of Hawaii's efforts to get me out of OH A. My family and I are digging in preparing for a long-term battle. The State has charged me with first degree assault, even though 1 was not driving. but standing in the back of the truck. After news reports and statements, the word on Molokai and in the rest of the the State was that this okole Ritte tried to kill a game warden. The bad guy image sticks even though 1 am found not guilty. I have been found guilty of two felony charges — one in possession of a rifle and the other in possession of its ammunition. Both belong to my brother-in-law, and I never touched them. The rifles were found empty in the back seat of the truck cab. 1 was standing in the back of the truck bed. We will win our appeal . . . but before the appeal process, the plan is to get me out of OHA. Even a blind man ean see the politics behind all of this smoke. I

am a political target because 1 speak out and am not part of the "political gang". My favorite T-shirt has gone from "Stop the Bombing" to "Ariyoshi Resign". 1 said it during Kahoolawe and I will say it again: "I am not a criminal and will fight to make things right." We cannot allow outside forces to dictate who our leaders will be. OHA was created by Hawaiians for Hawaiians. Whether or not 1 should be a trustee of the Hawaiian people is for the Hawaiian people to decide and no one else. I will need your kokua in my battle to keep serving you and to keep OHA from outside interference. It will not be easy. Action, not words, will be needed from all of us. I deeply appreciate the many calls of support I have received. If you are willing to kokua, please contact me. Phone 548-8960 (Oahu office) or eall eollect 553-361 1 (Molokai office). 1 have been fighting to make things right for Hawaiians before OHA was dreamed of and I will continue to do so until the dav I die.