Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 12, Number 4, 1 ʻApelila 1995 — Our Readers Write [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Our Readers Write

Destiny favors Hawaiian people Although I hail from the Philippines, the Hawaiian sovereignty movement eame to my attention through acquaintances from Hawai'i. In a recent issue, you highlighted some possible models of sovereignty for readers to analyze. This indicates the movement is clearly defming its goals and objectives. As your article stated, whatever model is initially pursued ean be used as a stepping stone toward further aspirations. Not surprisingly, there are many nay-sayers who elaim a Hawaiian nation is only a pipe dream. Some of these support the status quo, while others are simply sympathetic pessimists. However, these types of people have existed in all independence movements. It is a strategy of colonizers to create an attitude among the colonized that their situation is somehow permanent. I have heard people castigate certain Hawaiians supporting the movement because they possessed Caucasian blood. However, as part-Hawaiians they have an obligation to fight wrongs done against the Hawaiian people, as does every decent person regardless of background. We ean be confīdent that justice always prevails eventually, and destiny now seems to favor the Hawaiian people. Paul Kekai Manasala Sacramento, California Ka Wai Ola should credit mural artists I am happy that there is a paper that serves the Hawaiian community and I would like to acknowledge the contributors, staff writers and editors on a job well done. However the article "Getting up to speed: Waimānalo school revs up accelerated learning program," lacks cultural sensitivity, awareness and research. What is blatantly insulting is the photographer's name, who just happens to be the writer of the article credited below a 4.5 x 10 ineh full color photo of a Hawaiian artist's work. Ka Wai Ola O OHA is no longer in its infancy. If this is trulv "The Livine Water of OHA" then let's keen it nnre

of toxins and fresh as possible by giving credit to the originating artist, and eaeh student that participated in creating a meaningful mural in the Pope School cafeteria. For too many years, images belonging to

Hawaiians have been ily has

appropriated, used without permission, and outright stolen. If Patrick Johnston felt that it was important to credit himself as the photographer of eaeh photo, and credit himself as the writer, then why not go one step further and find out what the name of the mural was, the names of eaeh student (who worked on it) and, most of all, the name of the artist. Puahinano Kinney Keep funding for Kamehameha Commission The latest issue of Ka Wai Ola 0 OHA carries an article by Trustee Moses K. Keale with an insert stating "See what happens when Hawaiians UNITE - the Kamehameha Day Celebration Bill is DEAD!" While the essence of his statement is true, the more insidious aspect, one that gives everyone a false sense of security, is that funding for the commission is not addressed in the defeated bill. The fact is the commision is still in jeopardy. The funding is, however, listed in the Governor's budget as a line item to be abolished. What this ultimately means is that the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission may still remain in the state statutes but will not be funded. 1995 may well be the very last observance of this historical tradition. Trustee Keale's article points up another important factor: If anything even remotely smacks of being "Hawaiian," the new administration feels OHA should be underwriting it. While the King Kamehameha Celebration honors a Hawaiian warrior and hero, participation in any of the events is not limited to just Hawaiians. How then ean OHA funds be justifiably used to fund the commission? The foundations of our modem government are.based on the actions taken by King Kamehameha in uniting these islands under one peaceful rule. He deserves the recognition, accolades, and tributes. The state needs to eonūnue to fund the event in order to assure its perpetuation for the future. Keahi Allen Honolulu Right to vote resides at home After reading the letter "Angry at Mainlanders' exclusion," I felt that I should add something to the debate concerning Mainland Hawaiians and their vote on Hawaiian issues here in the homeland. My fam-

roots in the Hāna district of Maui. My great-great-grand-father sent my great-grandmother to attend school on O'ahu. Since then, my branch of the family has not resided in Hāna. In recent years, I have leamed that the town of Hāna has been in a debate as to whether or not a golf course should be built in Hāna. Do I, a resident in Hawai'i, yet living out of the district of Hāna and off the island of Maui, have a say as to whether or not the golf course should be built? Do I have the kuleana to attend Hāna town meetings and expect my vote to be counted with that of the Hawaiians who still reside there? I think I have lost that right. My ancestor made the ehoiee and I pay the consequences. If I want to reclaim my right to have a say, I think I have to return to Hāna. Lōkahi Antonio Honolulu

"'Ulua Mural" painted by Herman Clark and students of Blanche Pope Elementary school as part of their accelerated learning program.