Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 7, Number 11, 1 November 1990 — Democrats view Hawaiian issues [ARTICLE]

Democrats view Hawaiian issues

by Ed Thompson Democratic Party of Hawai'i For nearly 200 years, the Democratic Party has been the party of the people, committed to the ideals of freedom, fairness, equality, and justice. As leaders, we renew our commitment to the values we believe in. We set high standards and dedicate ourselves to honor them. We instill a sense of community and social responsibility. As leaders, we strive to strengthen our people. We believe in the rights of the individual and family self-sufficiency to freely pursue personal interest and goals; to achieve the highest limits of their talents and efforts; to enjoy life, liberty and happiness. As leaders, we continue to build a strong, viable economy, charaterized by stability, diversity and growth. We must maintain a desired physical environment, enhanced with beauty and cleanliness. We must continue to provide for open accountable government, distinguished by the highest ethical standards. We must nourish the aloha spirit and foster attitudes of tolerance, respect, cooperation, and unselfish giving We believe that Hawaii's future is in her people; and strive to create a community where residents live with pride, respect, and dignity. We aspire for community and social well-being, where basic needs for food, clothing, health care, and shelter are adequately met and seen asa right. As a eommunity compnsed of strong individuals, we nledge to create a society that fosters self-confidence, self-reliance, and self-determination within the framework of a healthy family. The Democratic Party will . . . support sovereignty and self-determination for Hawaiians by promoting social, health and eeonomie programs that advance their welfare and poliheal status in societv and perpetuate their cultura! heritage. We believe īn the right of all citizens to meaningfully participate in the process of government;and that government was created to assist individuals

and families achieve their personal aspiration; maintain a community that is fair and equal; and contribute to society's betterment. For all people, we believe in equality, human rights and justice. We favor equal opportunity, treatment and rights for the disabled, elderly, mentally ill, poor, and other disadvantaged groups. We renew our eonfidence in the Bill of Rightsguaranteed to us by the United States Constitution; and strive for a society that is free and fair. To the protection of civil liberties of eaeh individual — we pledge the conscience of the party. The Democratic Party will . . . secure full control over all our lands, including Kaho'olawe, and to stop the bombing of our 'aina. The Democratic Party will . . . support Native Hawaiian rights to land and water. What have Democratic Partv leaders done for Hawaiians? Senator Daniel Akaka: — $1.2 million grant to continue infrastructure development projects on HHL, under the Community Development Block Grant program. — $6.5 million for Native Hawaiian Education Act programs. — Native Hawaiian vocational funds of about $2 million annually since 1985. — Native Hawaiian library assistance and book mobile funds of about $600,000 annually since 1985. — $3.8 million from the Native Hawaiian Health Care Act. — $500,000 for study of hearing loss problems among Native Hawaiian children. — $750,000 for mental health research and professional training targeted for Native Hawaiian aleohol, drug abuse and mental health problems. — Native Hawaiian revolving loan program to assist small businesses — $2 million since 1988. — lntmduced Slenate resolution to require U.S. government to establish and recognize trustresponsibility to Native Hawaiian people. — ln<roduced measure to enable Hawaiian

Home Lands farmers to receive loans from U.S. Farmers Home Administration. — Pushing for federal assistance to Home Lands farmers by providing water meters and eonnecting pipes for irrigation. — lntroduced a measure to stop the bombing of Kaho'olawe and return it to Hawai'i. Senator Spark Matsunaga: — Cosponsor of legislation calling for the preservation of the Native Hawaiian language, and other Native Amenean languages. — Cosponsor of the Native Hawaiian Education Act, elementary and secondary Education Act amendments of 1987. — Cosponsor of legislation to protect Native Hawaiian religious freedom. — First mnmber of congress to introduce a Native Hawaiian Claims Settlement Act. Sen. D;>niel K. Inouye — Jointly with Sen. Daniel Akaka, $18.9 million for Native Hawaiian Health and Education programs. — Jointly with Daniel Akaka, $1.2 million for infrastructure purposes for Hawaiian Home Lands. — Secured senate approval for the Richard 1 yman-Gladys Brandt Fellowship program for studies in excellence. At the state level, through the Democratic leadership of Governor John Waihee, the Native Hawaiian community has seen more opportunities, some of whieh are: — Ensuring that DHHL's operating expenses are paid from the general fund, not DHHL revenues, making it possible to redirect $3-4 million a year. — Making more money available to DHHL creating possibility for DHHL to provide homesteads and homes — 450 by the end of 1990 and 750 bv 1992. As we enter the 21st century, the Democratic Party will continue to fight for the ideals of freedom, fairness, equality and iustice Ua mau ke ea o ka 'aina i ka pono.