Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 7, Number 7, 1 July 1990 — Not bad for a Pauoa boy [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Not bad for a Pauoa boy

By Clarence F. T. Ching, Trustee, O'ahu

Pauoa is an old Honolulu neighborhood that is familiar to many Hawai'i residents. The taro patches, watercress farms and Uluhaimalama, the Queen's garden, continue their existence in my memory.

Pauoa is the birthplace of Prince David Kawananakoa, nephew of Queen Liliu'okalani and brother of Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, and Johnny Almeida. It was the stomping grounds of Curtis Pi'ehu Iaukea, one of King Kalakaua's leading Hawaiian statesmen when he was a student at St. Alban's, the predecessor of 'Iolani High School. It was also the home of Alfred Apaka, Aunty Maiki Aiu Lake and Frank Delima. Pauoa is my birth plaee.

Pauoa is also the place where the late Kahikina Akaka lived, across Pauoa Stream from Uluhaimalama. He used to tell stories about that interesting plaee. He is buried in the cemeteryjust makai of his home, the same cemetery that he cared for many years. A eouple of Kahikina's sons have made important contributions to present day Hawai'i. One of them was Abraham, former kahu of Kawaiahao Church. The other, chosen to carry the name Kahikina for yet another generation, went to Washington to represent Hawai'i.

I was prvileged to be sitting in the gallery of the U.S. Senate in Washington, D.C., on May 16 this year when the younger Kahikina, arm in arm with Senator Daniel K. Inouye, approached Senate president pro tempore Robert Byrd in the Senate chamber to take the oath of office as U.S. Senator Daniel Kahikina Akaka. The press said he was the first Native Hawaiian and the first native American to serve in the U.S Senate. Others say that the media has overlooked former Senator Hiram Fong as the first with Hawaiian blood to serve in Congress.

lNevertheless, it was a proud day for all Hawaiians as one of our own was recognized that day by filling such an important position in such an important plaee. I shook the new senator's hand and whispered into his ear, "Not bad for a Pauoa boy!" It is interesting that the Congress is one of the few places where Hawaiians are overrepresented. With Hawaiians amounting to about 20 percent of the state's population, a Hawaiian fills half of the congressional Senate seats.

It would be interesting if at least one Hawaiian is able to garner one of the two U.S. House seats that are up for grabs, because of Akaka's appointment as interim successor to the late Sparky Matsunaga, and the seat expected to be vacant if Representative Patricia Saiki (R, Hawaii) challenges Akaka for his newly acquired Senate seat. A Hawaiian would then also fill 50 percent of Hawaii's U.S. House seats.

Some folks in Washington are beginning to call Rep. Saiki the "Golden Girl." That is because the seat now held by Akaka has been targeted by President George Bush and the national Republican Party as one of the seats that could shift the balance of power in the Senate to the Republicans if Saiki is successful in her bid for the Senate seat now held by Akaka. The seat is so important that the Republican National Party is expected to give Saiki major financial support in her quest. That is why the President and others have promised Saiki that any requests she makes at this

time will be given the highest consideration and why all important announcements coming out of the administration are expected to eome through Saiki's office. So, don't be caught off guard when you see such announcements.

Recent news releases by Rep. Saiki calling for the end of the bombing on Kaho'olawe and expansion of the boundaries of the State of Hawai'i are political moves that are designed to improve Saiki's record. Such successes are designed to demonstrate the kind of influence that a Republican Senator could garner for Hawai'i. Coincidentally, Sen. Inouye, as the senior Senator and member of some very powerful Senate committees, and Gov. John Waihee are also calling for a cessation of bombing on Kaho'olawe.

If the bombing is stopped, it will be interesting to see how the announcement will be made and who will get the credit. Aren't politics interesting? On the other hand, the race for Akaka's seat is also very important to the Democrats. Akaka says, "I would tell you that the Senate has a Democratic majority and I would also tell you that the White House has not been helpful to Hawai'i. Therefore, I would tell you that we need a Democratic senator in the Senate." Akaka expects "Democratic support nationally as well as locally." Akaka adds: "Senator Inouye has been a great help for me from day one. He has encouraged me to run. He has supported me by offering his campaign people to help me. He has talked to folks that could help me here in the Senate. So. his help has been tremendous."

There is no doubt that the battle for Akaka's Senate seat is very important for Hawaiians and the people of Hawai'i. If enough Democratic seats are lost to shift the Senate's balance of power to the Republicans you can bet that there will be a change in Inouye's important committee memberships and chairmanships.

Inouye has been a most important advocate for legislation having an impact on Native Hawaiians. His ongoing and future efforts are expected to be monumental in our continuing fight. As far as the contest for incumbent Sen. Akaka's seat goes, Hawaiians must ask the important questions: Of the two leading candidates for Sparky's seat, whieh one will represent our interests better? Whieh one will assist us most in our quest for justice?

The same questions will have to be asked for every other election that eaeh of us will vote in. Among others, the election of OHA's trustees is critical. Understanding and cooperative state legislators, city councilmen and mayors are also a must. Remember that OHA, on behalf of its Hawaiian beneficiaries, will be proposing and supporting federal legislation on Hawaiian self-government and self-determination, Hawaiian land claims, other native Hawaiian rights and restitutions or reparations. The balance of our Hawaiian future hangs on Inouye's continued presence in his key Senate positions.

Akaka is correct when he says that he will have to campaign against the White House and against the wealthy Republican Party. However, he also says that they don't know what they will be up against. Among other things, that they will be up against the grassroots of Hawai'i. So, stay tuned. Read the papers and keep track of all the news. But go one step further. Read between the lines and be able to recognize who is saying and doing what in setting policies and directions; and the struggle for power that elections are all about.

It is important that we vote for the candidate who will best represent us. We can do more. We can contribute to that candidate's campaign. We can also be an active worker for our candidate. Hawaiian political activism is gathering strength. Let's ride the wave and make it all count.