Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 10, Number 12, 1 December 1993 — Hawaiian justice, death of spaceport [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hawaiian justice, death of spaceport

by Moanke'ala Akaka Trustee, Hawai'i Sooner or later we Hawaiians will arrive at a point where we decide the fate of kānaka maoli in these islands. The ultimate decision on the nature of transgressions by a Hawaiian on DHHL lands ean best be made today by Hawaiians. The fact that DHHL sought "outside" help (attorney

general, Hawai'i County poliee, state courts) in making arrests and otherwise resolving the problems at Puhi Bay and Prince Kūhiō Mall attests to the serious shortcomings in awareness among DHHL officials. Those several

Hawanans wno retuse to appear before the state's courts and recognize state or federal jurisdiction are actually advanced beyond most of our present politieal capabilities. It is crucial that we representatives and officials make haste to catch up to the paee of liberation and realize what sovereignty is to mean. We have in our hands the opportunity to show all Hawai'i, and indeed

the world, that a Hawaiian nation has been resurrected and is linked in tradition and obligation to a superior measure of justice. I would rather we accept this ehallenge sooner than later — like today! 5f::f:5fc:f::t::j<:f::)e5|<:j<5j<sj<:f:sj<5je5j<5{«5f: As we move into the holiday season, best wishes to you and

your 'ohana and friends. Education is very important to our people's present and future. Remember that many struggle for the right to obtain a higher education to improve their minds and life.

Help, encourage and support these persons in every way. I know one young Hawaiian woman who lives at a beach park in a tent with her father; she pedals her bicycle every day to class at UH-Hilo. This Christmas, if you're able, give an extra special present to one who struggles to get an education, for the encouragement and support will help them persevere in their own

advancement, and to become exemplary role models for our 'ōpio. Mele Kalikimaka a me Hau'oli Makahiki Hou. Ua mau ke ea o ka 'āina i ka pono. 3f:5f«3fc^:5f;5fe^<3fe3fc3{c5f:3}e5jc5f:^c^c4:sf; We are witnessing the death throes of the Ka'ū Spaceport "pipe dream" that the state administration has been advocating for over a decade. Deke Slayton, who was an astronaut in the early 1980s, was at a public forum attended by 400 in Nā'ālehu, Ka'ū. In response to my question he said, "If the people in Ka'ū don't want a Spaceport - it will not happen!" For years opposition has been growing from residents of the Big Island as well as from our past two mayors. Now Lt. Governor Ben Cayetano has spoken out against a spaceport that has already cost state taxpayers $7 million. If this project had succeeded, it would have cost us several hundred million dollars more in infrastructure, plus costs to a space developer foolish enough to build it, and $400 million more to launeh. Lockheed has struck a mortal

blow to the proposed spaceport by pulling out of this project. Their agent, retired Navy Admiral Thomas Hayward, is leaving as Hawai'i's "space czar," paid $120,000 by Hawai'i residents. Hayward had a conflict of interest because he was also a Lockheed employee. For years we in the community have pointed out our environmental and cultural concerns regarding this venture: it's located on a volcanic fault zone, only a few miles from residential Pahala; an environmental impact statement is still to be completed.

Meanwhile, the governor refuses to admit that the spaceport is a dead issue, lacking only an obituary. I feel we must ask ourselves if the $7 million would have been better spent on environmental agricultural projects, communitybased eeonomie development projects (as recommended by Keiko Bonk-Abramson, Ka'ū eouneilwoman and Green Party member), as well as on environ-mentally-sound, appropriate technology small business ventures? Would we not be mueh farther ahead?

Ali'i Sunday services set at Kawaiaha'o Church Nā Ali'i will be honored and remembered at Ali'i Sunday services scheduled at Kawaiaha'o Church at 10:30 a.m. in 1994. Services may be heard on KCCN at 10:30 a.m. Hawaiian benevolent societies, the O'ahu district eouneil of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs and other Hawaiian community organizations will be recognized at the services with the traditional ceremonial entrance into the church at 10:15 a.m. January 30 — King William Lunalilo (bom Sun. Jan. 31) March 1 3 — Queen Ka'ahumanu (March 1 7) March 20 — Pnnee Jonah Kūhiō (March 26) June 12 — King Kamehameha I (birthday commemorated June 11; parade June 1 2) August 28 — Queen Lili'uokalani (Sept. 2) October 16 — Princess Ka'iulani (Oct. 16) Dec. 18 — Princess Pauahi (Dec. 19) Schedule courtesy Mary Lou Kekuewa, Anne Kaapana and Nana Aiu.