Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 14, Number 1, 1 Ianuali 1997 — Con Con could be bad for Hawaiians [ARTICLE]

Con Con could be bad for Hawaiians

by Kelli Meskin A Constitutional Convention could have a devastating impact on the Hawaiian community, at least two trustees said. OHA trustees fear that a state Constitutional Convention could take away the foundation of the office, its legally attained ceded land revenues and other claims, or limit the rights of Hawaiians and OHA. "OHA was created by an amendment to the 1978 Constitutional Convention and OHA ean be eliminat-

ed by an amendment to the next Constitutional Convention," Trustee Clayton Hee said at OHA's Hui 'Ana, a celebration of the newly elected trustees. OHA Trustee Frenchy DeSoto said the Hawaiian community needs to support delegates with Hawaiian interests for the Con-Con, expected to be held in 1998. DeSoto was a delegate at the 1978 State Constitutional Convention as the Hawaiian Affairs Committee Chair, where she worked toward the establishment of OHA. "Now more than ever, the Hawaiian commxmity is in trouble. 'A'ole

hiamoe, E maka'ala, stay alert and awake," DeSoto said. She believes that holding a

state Constitutional Convention now may not be good because of a growing resentment against the Hawaiian community, based on the state's current eeonomie status. "At this point it's pure speculation and allegation by the state administration that Hawaiians are bankrupting the state," DeSoto said in reference to comments made by the state that airport fees and other fees will have to be raised to make payments to OHA's 20 percent of ceded land revenues ineome. The question on the ballot resulted in the following votes: In favor 163,869 Opposed 160,153 Blank 45,245 Spoiled 90 The majority of the votes are in favor of calling a convention to amend the state constitution. However, Trustees Hee and DeSoto understand the law to say the total number of the

majority must equal 50 percent of the total number of votes. "The total affirmative vote is less than 50 percent of the total votes cast. Henee, the proposal must fail," said OHA Trustee Hee in a letter to Attorney General Margery Bronster before her decision was made. A different Hawaiian Constitutional Convention being planned as a result of the Native Hawaiian Vote will be affected by a state Constitutional Convention. Hā Hawai'i (Hawaiian Sovereignty Elections Council) will have to push their time line forward to grasp the opportunity to amend the State Constitution to attain ty"A Hawaiian Constitutional Convention will require amendments made to the State's Constitution relating to: recognition of the Nation, disposition of ceded lands, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, OHA and other state agencies and programs for Hawaiians," DeSoto said.