Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 6, Number 10, 1 October 1989 — Documentary probes homelands' issues [ARTICLE]

Documentary probes homelands' issues

In August 1989 U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye and members of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs undertook the first eomprehensive federal review of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act since its passage in 1921. The Act was supposed to "rehabilitate" native Hawaiians by putting them back on the " 'aina" or land and having them become self-sufficient. Over the last seven decades there have been reported instances of illegal land deals, allegations of mismanagement and abuse of trust assets, and untold suffering among the people the Act was supposed to help. On Wednesday, Oct. 1 1 , at 8:05 p.m. , KHNL/ 13 brings this public affairs issue to the forefront in an in-depth television documentary on the subject of Hawaiian Home Lands. "Back to the 'Aina" interviews feature Hawaiians who, after more than 30 years, are still waiting for their parcel of Iand. Henry Ahfong

Ahsam, 91, a longtime Parker Ranch paniolo tells his story. Now retired, Ahsam has been on the waiting list since 1952. He says he's afraid he's going to die before he goes back to the 'aina. Also filmed are homesteaders who have successfully reclaimed the rough, raw ground and turned it into usable agricultural land — people like Big Island resident, Randy Ahuna, whose agricultural enterprises have become a family affair. An integral part of the Hawaiian Home Lands issue are the lawmakers and other government officials. Featured is Hawaii's senior U.S.

Senator, Daniel K. Inouye, who promises that the eloquent testimony given during the August hearings will not go unheard in the halls of Congress. The Honorable John Waihee, Governor of Hawai'i, tells of his father who was still waiting for his pieee of land when he died. Immediately following the half-hour documentary, a panel of experts, including Ilima Pi'ianaia, chairman of the Hawaiian Homes Commission, and Mahealani Ing, director of the Native Hawaiian Legal Corp., will discuss the issues raised in the special. They will also explore possible solutions to resolving problems encountered in carrying out the original intent of the Act. "Back to the 'Aina" details both the failures and successes of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. It is the intent of the show's producers "to raise the level of awareness among the people of Hawai'i and thereby establish solid ground on whieh to build a better plaee for all to live."

"Back To The 'Aina" with reporter/moderator Lynne Waters Wednesday, October 11 8:05 p.m. - 9:05 p.m. Friday, December 22 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.