Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 8, Number 10, 1 October 1991 — OHA, sovereignty organization take up self-determination issue [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

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OHA, sovereignty organization take up self-determination issue

by Rowena Akana ! Vice Chairperson, OHA Board of Trustees

• The Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) has established two additional committees to help address the multitude of issues facing the Hawaiian people. One new committee, chaired by Trustee

Kaulukukui, is looking at housing problems. I am chair of the other new committee on the important ! issue of sovereignty. i As chair of this committee I represent OHA at public forums, on community organizations or when OHA is asked to be present when the subject of sovereignty is being discussed. For example, I was one of nine members on an| all-day panel on sovereignty sponsored by Kauai's Thousand Friends of Lihue. Other panelists invited were Mililani Trask (Ka Lahui Hawai'i), Soli Niheu (Nuclear Free Pacific), Dr. Kekuni Blaisdell (Ka Pakaukau), Hayden Poka _ Laenui Burgess (Institute for the Advancement of Hawaiian Affairs), Peggy Hao Ross ('Ohana O Hawaii), Davianna MacGregor (Protect Kaho'olawe 'Ohana), and Palikapu Dedman (Pele Defense Fund). Interest was high, with TV cameras, international press anel a large crowd of Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians of all ages and all walks of life who stayed with us from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. A long day, but questions were excellent and we eame away from the forum having learned different aspects of sovereignty from one another. I also represent OHA on a significant coalition of Hawaiian organizations incorporated under the name Hui Na'auao. Hui Na'auao was formed exclusively for educational and charitable purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (e) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and more specifically to: A. Promote an awareness, understanding and education of Kanaka Maoli sovereignty and selfdetermination among Na Kanaka Maoli and others. B. Promote and increase awareness of Kanaka Maoli cultural values, heritage, history and current events. C. Enable descendants of Na Kanaka Maoli to understand, articulate and exercise their explicit and implicit rights. D. Develop culturally sensitive principles of leadership, expand leadership capabilities among Na Kanaka Maoli and support an increase in the number of Kanaka Maoli leaders who will effectively serve the Kanaka Maoli community. E. Provide training and technical assistance to Na Kanaka Maoli. F. Accumulate historic and current information regarding concerns of Na Kanaka Maoli for public dissemination. G. Support the continuity of consciousness of the people of Hawai'i to the cultural, spiritual, genealogical and environmental legacy and future of our people. This organization is important because it brings together large and small Hawaiian organizations of different purposes and philosophies, who have varying positions on sovereignty, and even some who have taken no position other than to educate their members on the subject of sovereignty, and facilitate informed decision making. Currently, there are at least 27 members on the board of directors authorized to act on behalf of Hui Na'auao consistent with the law and as set forth in the organization's bylaws. In addition, there are 15 non-member organizations that have 1

agreed to support Hui Na'auao īn its etforts. (Editor's note: Please see Hui Na'auao story beginning on page 1 for a full list of member organizations.) Initial officers are president, Elizabeth Pa Martin of Native Hawaiian Advisory Council; lst vice president, Louis Agard of Friends of Kamehameha & Kamehameha Schools; 2nd vice president, Hayden Burgess of the Institute for the Advancement of Hawaiian Affairs; secretary, Julie Cachola of Ka Lahui Hawai'i; corresponding secretary, Keoni Agard of Royal Order of Kamehameha; treasurer, H.K. Bruss Keppeler of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs. Hui Na'auao has applied to the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) for a grant to carry out a Sovereignty and Self-Determination Community Education Project.

The three-year project will be based on traditional Hawaiian values that have been translated into project objectives. They are education through cultural and historical understanding, education through examination of meanings of sovereignty, and consensus building leading to a final report setting out a Hawaiian perspective of self-determination and governance. Early , informal reports from ANA are favorable for Hui Na'auao to receive the grant. There have been several fine presentations on sovereignty from experts with nationa! and international experience in helping indigenous peoples regain their inherent rights. Stay tuned. The subject is important beyond measure, and as the word goes out excitement is mounting. I will keep you informed of our progress and hope to see you in person when workshops are scheduled sometime in the late fall.

U)EJl 0(D 0 0P]/^ 'Ao'ao Umikumaiwa (Page 19)

XWistcc's Views

(This eolumn is open to sll OHA Trustess as a VGhicle for them to express their mana'o. Opinions expressed are those of the individual Trustees and do not necessarily represent the official position of the OHA Board of Trustees.)