Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 5, Number 6, 1 June 1988 — What? Where? How? [ARTICLE]

What? Where? How?

By A. Frenchy DeSoto Trustee-at-Large

Ho'olako was the first official recognition of the native Hawai'ian people as contributors to the broader eommunity, an aeknowledgement of our existenee. Ho'olokahi saw the winds carry the eeho of the pahu drums, calling 1 our people to stand

together with dignity and pride. Chanters told the stories of our heritage and history . We, as a people, stood with tears in our eyes, bursting with pride and joy of being one with the other and aeknowledging history's cruel and abusive neglect of Hawai'i's first people. We eonhnue to survive as a people, ever mindful of our culture and heritage. Many of us carried the memories of Kupuna and warrior now gone, but never forgotten; all of those who gave of themselves, with deep aloha for their people and their plight. How we wished they could be with us on this day in January. We who were there, witnessed the mass healing that was taking plaee; old scars and wounds not trite and insignificant when viewed with the realization that despite all, we survive as a people and are still here. We are a people only if we acknowledge that one grain of sand does not a beach make. As old enemies stood in embrace of eaeh other, the aloha mana flowed and touched us all. Love flowed from the na'au for the many thousands who contributed

their time, energy and money to making this day in January a success. Love conquered all. Aloha was everywhere. Mahalo no Ke Akua! Aloha no. Mahalo piha. The basis of unity has been set; the seeds for Lokahi firmly planted . . . all that is needed to insure growth is love (commitment), guidance (malama) and nourishment (action). The political arena is where we must impact. We must elect people who commit to the Hawaiian community the moral integrity and conviction to properly address the myriad of problems that eonfront its native peoples. Realize however, that many of us still share the frustration, resentment and suspicion of the politieal arena. It is in this arena where we feel powerless and alienated. Many would continue to fan the flames of powerlessness because this serves their purposes. Divisive ploys are implanted in law, the results of whieh create the unavoidable confrontations, such as blood-quantum requirements, etc. Some of us perpetuate the "alamihi syndrome" by acknowledgement, rather than recognizing the law as being divisive and in many instances, unaeceptable. YOU have the MANA to make the difference. This mana is called the VOTE. However, voting in itself is not enough, the mana is KNOWING HOW TO VOTE AND FOR WHOM. This collective action then translates into empowerment (HO'OMANA). This process does not by itself offer immediate remedies to our many problems, but we as a people have never tested our VOTING MANA in order to make a difference. What this process does is develop the beginning of political unity , vital

and necessary to and for the healing process. I offer these suggestions for beginning the process of self-empowerment by political unity: 1. Register to vote for the Primary Elections by Aug. 18 2. The Primary Election is Saturday, Sept. 17, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. 3. Deadline for registering to vote in the General Eleehon is Tuesday, Oct. 11, 4:30 p.m. The General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 8. T o assist and inform you, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs is planning a survey of potential candidates, results of whieh will be published in this newspaper. Should you need OHA's assistance contact Board Secretary Laura Kamalani-Paikai. I urge you to vote as an Ohana or Community. Do not vote for candidates who DO NOT commit themselves to Hawaiian issues. Have ohana and community meetings and decide on whieh candidates would better serve the entire Hawaiian community. Candidates for State, County and Federal offices must file nomination papers by July 19. You will have sufficient time to review the list, make contact, get commitments and inform your ohana and friends so you all ean make a collective eommitment. Whlie registering to vote is an important step, the next most important action is that you actually go to vote. There are many ways of organizing to support your candidates. Should you need assistance in this area, eall your nearest OHA office at 946-2642 or 548-8960, Honolulu; %l-74%, Hilo; or 329-7368, Kona; 244-4219, Maui; 553-3611, Moloka'i; 245-4390, Kaua'i.

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