Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 4, Number 11, 1 November 1987 — from the Chairman's Desk [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

from the Chairman's Desk

By Moses K. Keale Sr., OHA Chairman Trustee, Ni'ihau and Kaua'i

Courts9 Actions Disappointing

It was with great disappointment that 1 learned that our pleas for justice has been "thrown out" by the highest courts of this State and this Nation. These decisions, in effect, make us malihini or strangers in our own land. The decisions say quite plainly that the Hawaiians no longer have a plaee in Hawaii. They say that the rights created by the Constitutional Convention of 1978 and ratified by all the people of Hawaii must now be reviewed again by the Legislature of Hawaii. But the Legislature already has spoken quite clearly based on Hawaii's Constitution.

Let me make it very clear the Office of Hawaiian Affairs has only one goal. That is to carry out the intent of those who framed this provision of our Constitution and those who created the statutes implementing the amendment. That also is the responsibility of the Legislature and the Governor of this State for they are sworn to uphold all of the Provisions of the Constitution. 1 was pleased to hear that Hawaii's attorney general feels that conditions are now right for a Legislative eompromise to affect a final determination. OHA welcomes an administrative decision to join hands with this agency in order to work out a package that will insure justice for the Hawaiian people.

The court's refusal to resolve this matter in the courts leaves only one avenue open for Hawaiians. That's the political arena. The Constitution through OHA guarantees Hawaiians a share of the revenues from the former crown lands. The courts now say Legislation is necessary to fully implement that provision of the Constitution. If the courts say this issue is apoliheal one, so be it. Perhaps now, for the first time in a century, it is time for the Hawaiians to unite behind a eommon purpose. Hawaiians must receive the revenues due to them. There are over 200,000 residents of Hawaii who are of

Hawaiian ancestry. That represents almost 20 percent of the State's population. This is a political force whieh cannot be ignored.

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