Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 9, Number 6, 1 June 1992 — OHA honors activist Prejean, dead at age 49 [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA honors activist Prejean, dead at age 49

Gail Kawaipuna Prejean, a pioneer in the struggle for Native Hawaiian rights, died on his 49th birthday, April 14, shortly after testifying before the state Legislature on several Hawaiian issues. His tireless efforts on behalf of the Hawaiian people will long be remembered. The OHA board of trustees, at its monthly business meeting in April, passed a resolution honoring the activist for a lifetime of dedication to the Hawaiian cause. The resolution will be sent to his family, Ka Pakaukau and other organizations to whieh he belonged. "The Board of Trustees . . . honors Gail Kawaipuna Prejean as Ke Koa Kanaka Maoli believing that the knowledge he so generously shared, and the torches he ignited will be carried by others, never to be extinguished until all

is made right with na kanaka maoli ..." according to the resolution. Prejean was a member of one of the first groups to occupy Kaho'olawe, and a founder of Sovereignty Sunday, an annual rally for Hawaiian unity and sovereignty at 'lolani Palaee. The "guiding force" of the United Hawaiian Association in the late 1980s, Prejean also presented a series of panels featuring speakers on Hawaiian issues. "Kawaipuna was tireless in his pursuit of rights on behalf of na kanaka maoli, speaking out with compelling emotion whenever and

wherever the opportunity was presented, including national and international forums on indigenous and human rights and at the United Nations," the resolution reads. OHA Trustee Moanikeala Akaka, who represents the Big Island on the board, described Prejean as someone who labored diligently for the Hawaiian people, and someone who will be missed by community members. Maui Trustee Abraham Aiona noted how Prejean's sudden death eame while he was still young and active. "We have lost someone who was in his prime. I sense that he will be sorely missed."