Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 10, Number 12, 1 December 1993 — A MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

A MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE

^years ago, President Cleveland sent a message to Congress. In clear, strong language, he condemned the "act of war" done in the name of the United States against the government and people of the Kingdom of Hawaii. The President called on Congress to address and make right the "suhstantial wrong" whieh tarnished x\merican honor and violated the rights of the Hawaiian people. Congress ignored his message. No vindication of American honor or reparation of Hawaiian rights occurred. And in 1898 congress voted annexation and accepted — without the vote of or compensation to the people of Hawaii — the sovereignty and lands of the Hawaiian Islands. Honor and integrity are old-fashioned principles whieh are dear and central to the American character — whether the year is 1893 or 1993. As Americans or as Native Hawaiians, we know that an injustice has heen done and must be addressed. When government fails to act, justice becomes the responsibihty of the people. That s why we need your help. Our Hawai'i is special and unique. We work together. For eaeh other. For justice. Thats the ideal of the American spirit. That's the Aloha spirit. E ho'olōkahi i kūpono. Come together for justice. Only then ean we send a message whieh will be heard.

Excerpts from Presidents Message to Congress December 18, 1893 "...By an act of war, committed with the participation of a diplomatic representative of t.he United States and without the authority of Congress, the Government of a feeble but friendly and confiding people has been overthrown. A substantial wrong has thus been done whieh a due regardfor our national character as well as the rights of the injured people requires we should endeavor to repair. . . " "...Our country was in danger of occupying the position ofhaving actually set up a temporary government onforeign soilfor the purpose of acquiring through that agency territory whieh we had wrongfully placed in its possession. . . " "...Fair-minded people with the evidence before them will hardly elaim that the Hawaiian Government was overthrown by the people of the islands or that the provisional government had ever existed with their consent. I do not understand that any member of this government claims that the people would uphold it by their sufferages if they were allowed to vote on the question..." ".../ shall be mueh gratified to cooperate in any legislative plan whieh may be devisedfor the solution of the problem before us whieh is consistent with American honor, integrity, and morality. "

If you wish to learn more about the history of Hawaiians claimsfor land and sovereignty, or want to help develop and deliver the message of justice, please eall or write the OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS

For more infornuition , contact the: OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS O'ahu: 711 Kapi'olani Blvd., Ste 500 • Honolulu. III 96813 Phone: 586-3777 FAX: 586-3799 Kaua'i: 3100 Kuhio Highway, C-4 * Iihue, HI 96766 Phone: 246-3511 FAX: 246-9551 Maui: 140 Ho'ohana St.. Ste 206 • Kahului, HI 96732 Phone: 243-5170 FAX: 243-5016 Moloka'i: P.O. Box 1717 • Kaunakakai. HI 96748 Phone: 553-3611 FAX: 553-3968 Hawai'i: 688 Kinoole St., Unit 4A • Hilo. HI 96720 ! Phone: 933-4349 FAX 933-4744 j 75-5706 Hanama Plaee, Ste 106A Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 i Phone: 329-7368 FAX: 326-7928 Or elip aml mail the aeeompanying response form to OHA.

I 1 I I CH YES! I believe in American Justice, Please (eheek below): □ Send me the full text of Cleveland's Message; □ Send me more information on Hawaiian claims; HH Call me to schedule a speaker for my organization; □ Call me to help 1 1 Name I I Address I I I I Phone I I