Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 1, Number 5, 1 June 1984 — from the Chaiman's Desk [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

from the Chaiman's Desk

By Joseph Kealoha - ■ OHA Chairman, Maui Trustee

I'd like to report this month on the continuingefforts being made by OHA in support of Congressional recognition of major concerns of the Hawaiian people. When the Mainland members of the Native Hawaiians Study Commission concluded that the United States bears no responsibility for the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian government in 1893 and claimed there was no basis for restitution to the Hawaiian people, OHA pledged an all-out effort to reverse those findings. We appropriated funds for extensive research into the legal, historical and social background of the overthrow and the resulting injustices inflicted on the Hawaiian people. Countless hours were devoted to compiling an accurate, factual and documented report of what actually happened in 1893, why it happened, and its consequences. This ongoing effort by OHA trustees and staff is beginning to bear fruit. The Study Commission's "minority report" is an impressive and convincing advocate for the Hawaiian cause. Testimony given by OH A trustees and by a variety of expert witnesses commissioned by the OHA Board was extremely well received by the U.S. House and Senate Committees whieh are reviewing the final report of the Native Hawaiians Study Commission. Senator Spark Matsunaga, who chaired the hearings held by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, has pledged to introducelegislation backing Hawaiian claims. Before Congress actually considers these important matters, it is imperative

that every effort be made to secure the support of as many infiuential groups, individuals and organizations as possible, both in Hawaii and on the Mainland. I am happy to report that we are meeting with considerable success in this goal. Here in Hawaii, an OHA drafted resolution "Urging the Congress of the United States to acknowledge the illegal and immoral actions of the United States in the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1893, and to indicate its commitment to grant restitution for the losses and damages sulTered by native Hawaiians as a result of those wrongful actions" has been adopted by a wide variety of legislative and other bodies. They include the State House of Representatives; the County Councils of Honolulu, Maui. Hawaii and Kauai; the Republican and Democratic Parties of Hawaii; and the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs. During the past few months, 1 have had theopportunity toaddressa number of ethnic groups here in the islands on the subject of Hawaiian concerns. The loeal branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People graciously adopted our resolution and has submitted it for consideration at the N.A.A.C.P. national convention in July. I also had the pleasure of meeting with members of the Japanese American Citizens League, whieh is now reviewing the resolution.

On the Mainland, 1 have made personal contact with a number of organizations, all of whom have been supportive and encouraging. The OHA resolution is also on the agenda ofthe powerful National Association of Counties whieh meets this month in Seattle, Washington. 1 have been invited to present the OH A Ceded Lands slide show to the Indian Affairs Subcommittee of that body. The struggle for national recognition of Hawaiian rights will be a long and difficult one, but it is one whieh the OH A Board, as the elected representatives of the Hawaiian people, will carry on until we are successful.