Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 6, Number 11, 1 November 1989 — He Hawaiʻi Au [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

He Hawaiʻi Au

By Moses Keale, Trustee, Kaua'i

Anoai Kakou: He Hawai'i kakou! He Hawai'i au! We have embarked on a long awaited journey that ean not be measured in time but shall be judged by its accomplishments. Our ancient forefathers must have stood at this

very crossroads and pondered these same questions and harbored these same doubts the day they departed on that fateful journey to the land they would eall Hawai'i. They had the faith in themselves and their gods that this journey would end in a new Bfe that was better than the life they enjoyed then. How brave and adventuresome they were. We, too, must have the same inner strength. We must acknowledge that we embark on a journey that will lead us somewhere and that the final destination will be good — for all of us! These few months have been eventful ones for Hawaiians. Beginning with preparations for a historic congressional hearing, an event-filled week of hearings by the Oversight Committee on Indian Affairs, the unveiling of Operation 'Ohana — the enrollment, and continuing with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs publication of a "Blueprint for Hawaiian Entitlements" we have been faced with a

dizzying array of heavy issues to address. Bombarded with so many vital issues at one time, it is no small wonder that we Hawaiians often reacted with great reluctance, anger and fear. It was onee stated by a wise kupuna that Hawaiians are a prayerful people. They begin every major task by asking for guidance from those wiser than themselves and pray that their journey will be fruitful and correct. When I find myself faced with so mueh turmoil, uneasiness and fear, I, too, turn to pule! If we are patient and attentive the answers eome. I have meditated for many agonizing hours searching for the answers. How ean I be of assistance to you and to my fellow trustees? He Hawai'i au! What we are faced with today is the future of our race of tomorrow. Eaeh of us, you and I and all Hawaiians everywhere, has a part to play in the shaping of the universe of the Hawaiian people. Let us put our anger away. Say what we have to say because it bothers us and then let this pass. And then, let us sit together to resolve our differences. As we work together to shape our universe let us agree that everyone's welfare is our eoneem. Let us put our house in order and eome to the table to discuss our dreams with open hearts in the spirit of sharing. Then let us ask for guidance from our ancestors to be able to agree to agree and to reshape our thinking where it needs rearrangement. Let me begin this process by making the following pledge. I pledge to devote my time and

energies to making our house at OHA kupono. The division of our House should be no more. We shall become nine servants listening to your concerns, accepting your advice and aeknowledging your wisdom. We need the collective wisdom of all. There is room at the table for all. Every group large or small should have a equal seat at this table. We shall work for days, weeks, months, or years. We shall take the time, no matter how long it may dictate. We shall endure so that in the end eaeh of us ean say He-Jdawai'i au!