Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 7, Number 3, 1 Malaki 1990 — Ka Poʻe Hawaiʻi reach the turning point [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Ka Poʻe Hawaiʻi reach the turning point

By Moses Keale Trustee, Kaua'i

Anoai kakou. Last month we, Ka Po'e Hawai'i, reached the crossroads of history, the turning point in the life of the Hawaiian nation. We engaged in the State of Hawai'i in an historic encounter to negotiate the rights and pri-

leges of our Native Hawaiian people. The results were earth shaking! Hawaiians exercised the right to self-determination and the state responded by recognizing this right and by reaching an agreement whieh benefits all Native Hawaiians. Although we won a settlement of money, the most important victory was the recognition by this administration that the Office of Hawaiian Affairs is an independent governing body with the stature and empowerment of a government who has the duty, right, and the privilege to enter into talks with any government entity. The precedent has been established and we ean now march on into our future to make history in our movement towards sovereignty for Ka Po'e Hawai'i. It is indeed appropnate at this time to share a eommon prayer with eaeh other. Please allow this humble servant of God and or yours to offer these words for all of us.

E ka makua mana loa E nana mai ia makou na lahui Hawai'i E ku akoa nei E haawi mai ia makou Ke aloha, hanalike a me kupaa E alakai ia makou 1 ola, i ola na po'e Hawai'i And now, as is the tradition that our culture dictates, as we give birth to a new undertaking, let us turn our attention to the first task of our mission. We must prepare ourselves for the great journey, wherever God may lead us. First we must elean our house and build our strength with good and elean spirit. Our attention shall focus on our first line of defense, our hard working administration and staff. I ask you to offer prayers for these diligent warriors. Rebuke na mea lapuwale apau whieh may try to invade their lives and cause pain and confusion. Pray thattheireyesmaybecleared and their path pono. Confront the hemahema and kanalua and return it from whenee it eame. Join me in asking for the spirit of God and the wisdom of na kupuna kahiko to fill our trustees, administration and staff with the light of all that is good and righteous. Let us also pray for the success of Operation 'Ohana. It is through this effort that we shall truly be one people, one body, one spirit. Let us put all our energy into this endeavor. I ho'okahi kahi pu'uwai 1 ho'okahi kahi kamana'o I ho'okahi kahi kealoha E malama i ka maluhia

"Be of one heart, be of one thought, be of one love, preserve the peaee." A i manao kekahi e lilo i pookela i waena o oukou, e pono no e lilo ia i kauwa na oukou. Na ke Akua e malama a e alakai ia kakou apau.