Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 6, Number 4, 1 April 1989 — Referendum, Ceded Land Package, And Federal Reparations [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Referendum, Ceded Land Package, And Federal Reparations

By Moanikeala Akaka Trustee, Hawai'i

There are several broad misconceptions and misunderstand ings perceived by some I in the Hawaiian eommunity that I feel should be cleared up. This does nothing but generate distrust and confusion. I feel it is necessary to set the record straiqht on: 1)

the referendum held last fall; 2) a ceded lands paekage that was to be introduced this legislative session; and 3) a federal reparations package. Last October, we Trustees went statewide with workshops explaining the referendum that was held to ask you our people whether or not you felt all Hawaiians should benefit from OHA programs— yes or no. Unfortunately, there were

problems with the postal delivery; however, of those who did respond, 84 percent stated "yes," all Hawaiians should benefit from OHA programs. As the Trustees told you at that time, first priority will go to those Hawaiians with 50 percent and more blood; this must be clearly understood. Although only 40 percent of the Hawaiian populahon is 50 percent and more Hawaiian koko (blood), there is that preference and rightfully so. When we held those workshops islandwide last fall, mentioned was a ceded land package that we Trustees at the Ad Hoe Committee on Ceded Land Entitlements had been discussing with the Governor's top aides for months. The idea was to deliberate a just and fair settlement with input from you our beneficiaries and to introduce it into the present legislative session. We T rustees promised you last fall that we would bring this package back to the community for your mana'o before its introduction into the Legislature. We had been meeting in good faith since last spring with the Governor's team. Unfortunately, they have not followed

through to meet with us to provide mueh needed information over the past several months. As a result, we ended up with no ceded land package to take to the community for input before this present legislative session. We Trustees have devoted many non-salaried hours plus days of weekend workshop sessions towards this effort. You must understand that it was not your Trustees that dropped the ball on this important issue! We Hawaiians only ask for decent and fair treatment, especially from our feliow Hawaiians. I feel it necessary to share this mana'o with you because in past columns, I had mentioned the ceded land package and that we were to bring it to you for your consideration. I am a person of my word and I'm sorry that this issue was not a priority with the state. Even the patience of the Hawaiian people has its limits. I have no desire to raise false hopes; it's a day-to-day struggle for survival for many of us on this 'aina of ours, and we need what is owed us in order to keep our 'ohana going — while the bureaucrats and politicians continue to shuffle the pepa and we a'ole kala, 'aina, or programs that truly help. It's no joke! The Japanese investors are given preferential treatment, while Yakuzacanown golfcourses, hotels, and our 'aina, yet eome to our islands with no visa necessary. We natives are relegated "to the back of the bus" with no ceded land package in a year when there is a half a billion dollar State surplus! I just want you to remember that OHA should not take the rap for this one! Though I too have found fault with the operations of OHA in the past, we should not be blamed for something that is not of our doing. We now have to wait another two years for the next legislative biennium for a ceded land package. Recently Chairman Tommy Kaulukukui and Vice-Chairman Rod Burgess took a trip to Washington, DC. There are those inthecommunitythat say they took with them a reparations bill from us Trustees to be introduced in Congress. That is not true! Rod Burgess has been Chair of Reparations for the past two years. This Office has been in the process of putting together a viable bill along with your input and we will be taking it islandwide. We want and need a federal reparations bill that will truly reflect and adequately sustain our people, land and sovereignty into the future. We must truly leam from the struggles and setbacks of other Native peoples in America. Thusly, we ean hope to avoid further victimization by state and federal governments. Rod spoke to other attorneys in Washington that have helped bring other Native people success. There are many Native leaders I have been in contact with through the years who ean help us Hawaiians through sharing their peoples'experience inseekingjustice.Several Alaskan Native leaders who pioneered Alaska Native claims will be coming here to meet with us soon. These people whose roots, values, and problems are mueh like ours are kindred spirits — brothers and sisters who fight for the justice their people too deserve. Together, we all have mueh to share in our endeavors toward self-determination, justice, and eeonomie freedom. This is best for the Hawaiians and for democracy in America. So you see, there was no reparations bill taken to Washington, DC, but mueh information gained that will help enable us here at home to put together a document that will rectify past injustices. We have waited almost a hundred years, it is wise to ho'omanawanui a little longer while we build a sound foundation, and father our nation through loeal participation. We are living in exciting times here in Hawai'i as we resurrect our Hawaiian nation. All of you are important in the success of the challenge before us. We ean do it together. Malama pono . Ua mau ke ea o ka 'aina i ka pono .

Dr. Diane Drigot and OHATrustee Clarence Ching at installation ceremonies for a new educational exhibit at Kane'ohe Marine Corps Air Station. The permanent outdoor shelter is located near the main entrance of the station and gives visitors andresidents an overview of the cultural and natural history of the Mokapu Peninsula. Dr. Drigot is the environmental speciatist for the station.