Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 7, Number 9, 1 September 1990 — Those two forbidden topics: politics and religion [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Those two forbidden topics: politics and religion

By Moanikeala Akaka Trustee, Hawai'i

There are two issues I would like to bring to your attention this month. The first is the issue of religious freedom and the second, since this is an election year, is what one might look for in our candidates for

oinee. The first amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and reads: "Congress shall make no laws respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the freeexercises thereof..." The religious issue is a knotty problem that goes deep to the basis of constitutional law, philosophy of freedom, and in our case, native rights. If the native Hawaiian's religion of Pele worship were as respected as Buddhism and Christianity there would be no way that geothermal energy would be allowed to happen. The drilling into Fele's flesh (in Puna district) to draw out some steam to run turbines to generate electricity is akin to drawing out her blood and life force according to Pele practitioners. It is desecration and sacrilege. The worship of Pele is not site specific, although the courts have ruled it is. She resides at Puna and it is felt by us that Puna and Ka'u are sacred geography. We as a native people, should not be forced to restrict our worship to pinpoint specific areas because it is expedient for developers. Pele is widely recognized in western commercial avenues and she has been acknowledged among peoples of Polynesia who worshipped a volcano goddess hundreds of years before there was a United States of Amenea. If the first amendment guaranteeing religious freedom does not protect the rights of Hawaiians to their traditional religious belief practices, it does not live up to the full potential of its lofty goal. America did not invent the idea of freedom of religion; it is an old and precious idea born out of pragmatic solutions to problems of intolerance that were the root of religious wars and social unrest. As we stand now it appears to me that we Hawaiians ean worship Pele and pay tribute to her through dancing, chant and other forms of devotion. But if the U.S. government does not allow

sacred belief as seen from our world view; if we cannot find support from the federal government to halt physical desecration to Goddess Pele's domain whieh is a part of our native Hawaiian belief system; then the first amendment guaranteeing religious freedom rings hollow to the many people of the USA and the world who practice what are known as earth-spirit religions. In spite of the sanctimonious ramblings of some high profile assimilated Hawaiians who side with the culture that overthrew our Hawaiian nation and who say it's okay to invade Pele's domain, we have been witnessing her disapproval these past seven and a half years as she has literally destroyed Kahauale'a Campbell Estate's initial geothermal project. She started shortly after Campbell's Kahauale'a permits were granted. She has recently devoured Kalapana, and has engulfed Kaimu Black Sand Beach. Volcanologists say there is no end in sight! Is this the power of Pele or coincidence? Did Jesus rise from the dead or did somebody steal his body? In this aoe of threatening ecological disaster it is possible that the mightiest assistance to save the planet could eome from the judiciary rather than the legislative branch of the government. If the courts uphold the right of native peoples to worship as they see fit, the judiciary would thereby lend great assistance toward saving the planet, for earth religions totally respect natural balances as in the spirit of Aloha 'Aina. I defend the right and the integrity of the first amendment to the U S. Constitution and stand with Hawaiians and others who are denied equal protection under the iaw for belief in Pele our volcano goddess. The second issue I wanted to bring to your attention concerns our impending elections. It's that season again when you are barraged by candidates making all kinds of promises that almost always are forgotten, after the elections. What we've got to ask ourselves is who's the person behind the sign-waving and hoopla? What do they really stand for as human beings and what is their track record in public affairs? That record is the basis of the kind of elected representative this person will be. We cannot allow ourselves to be manipulated by slick, fancy television and other media ads and brochures that cost mueh kala. Unfortunately, the political system as we practice it in the U.S. has fallen into the hands of the advertising agencies. When considering candidates for election in any

office their background and involvement in the community (or laek of it) will indicate what kind of elected official this person will be. If they've done volunteer work to help homeless people you have an indication that this candidate is concerned about social issues and has compassion for his fellow human being and that as an elected official will eonhnue to support these kinds of issues. However, if a person is a financial wizard and has shown no interest or eoneem about his eommunity and/or Hawaiian ways then you ean surmise that this person will continue to be the kind of politician that is primarily concerned about eeonomie advantages, frequently at the expense of the environment. Don't expect any miracles; don't expect a person or a leopard to change its spots. You get what you see. So understand, it's important to find out and leam a candidate's background and value system before voting. We desperately need elected officials that truly care and do not just advertise in fancy brochures. Elections should not be bought and paid for. People beware! Leam to distinguish among candidates, know what they stand for, don't just vote for someone because of costly eampaigns or what racial extraction they are. Ask candidates where they stand on preserving the 'aina and environment and protecting the quality of life in these islands. Find out where they stand relative to justice for us native people and our right to self-determination and forging our own destiny. See how they feel about the people's right to initiative relative to land use decisions, a basic derpocratic principle in over 26 states that is favored by over 78 percent of those polled by the Honolulu Advertiser. Ask candidates if they are in favor of loeal control, relative to education and smaller classroom sizes. Are we doing all we ean to rehabilitate our Hawaiians in prison? Register to vote and vote wisely. There is now mail-in voter registration whieh will make it easier for everyone to register to vote. Inquire at your County Clerk's office. Sometimes it's hard to keep faith with the eleetoral process, but to tell the truth, I haven't given up trying. Congratulations on the recent Honolulu Advertiser survey that showed 78 percent of those questioned said we need no more golf courses in this state. Malama Pono. Ua mau ke ea o ka 'aina i ka pono.