Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 13, Number 6, 1 June 1996 — HSEC responds to critics of Native Hawaiian Vote [ARTICLE]

HSEC responds to critics of Native Hawaiian Vote

Editor's note: The following was prepared by the Hawaiian Sovereignty Elections Council. OHA believes, in light of the importance of the upcoming vote, that all Hawaiians should be properly informed of the eouneil' s position on important issues and questions surrounding the vote. The Hawaiian sovereignty Elections (HSEC) Council was established to provide for a fair and impartial process to determine the will of the indige- ^ nous people to restore a nation of ^ĒT" their own choosing. The Council will * M conduct a Native Hawaiian Vote T (formerly called the plebiscite) this summer and has asked all registered Hawaiians through a mail-out ballot whether they want to elect delegates to propose a Hawaiian govemment. Some Hawaiian sovereignty organizations have opposed the Native Hawaiian Vote process and have made statements that aim to discredit HSEC's efforts. In the attached sidebar are listed some of the opposition's accusations and some of the council's responses to those accusations. The Council asks those of Hawaiian ancestry, legislators, and the general public to examine this opposition very closely.

Looking ahead The Council is moving forward with positive momentum. On February 24, 1996, the Council held a Hawaiian Organizations Conference at Kamehameha Schools. There were 140 Hawaiian organizations represented and 400 Hawaiians in attendance. The conference was a unifying experience for all. Almost everyone left with a strong desire to participate in the Native Hawaiian Vote and a commitment

to share information with family, friends and associates. The governor and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs have released funding for the Native Hawaiian Vote. All eontracts have been approved by the Govemor. The Council has created a nonprofit entity, Ha Hawaii to help raise private funds after the Native Hawaiian Vote. The HSEC educational campaign continues. A 30-minute video has been produced

whieh will air on major networks every month leading up to the vote. Copies of the video are currently available to the

public. 'Olelo Public Television is producing a onehour video on the Council and the Native Hawaiian Vote. Radio shows are being developed on public radio and major Hawaiian stations. The Council has developed a page on the World Wide Web whieh will reach Hawaiians on O'ahu, neighbor islands and throughout the world. Educational presentations / are continuing for Hawaiian organizations and within the various Hawaiian communities. Written materials and registration forms are available for anyone who requests them. Individual eouneil members are organizing door-to-door campaigns, phone trees, and friend-to-friend cards with help from volunteers in their respective communities. The Council is grateful for all the support and help from

volunteers, the community, family and friends. For more information eall 5872834 or l-800-95-voter.

CoVEREIGNTl ELECTlONS COUNCIL