Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 14, Number 1, 1 Ianuali 1997 — HSEC conference lacks consensus [ARTICLE]

HSEC conference lacks consensus

by Deborah L. Ward With the enei of the work of the Hawaiian Sovereignty Elections Council (HSEC) as of Dec. 31, 1996, who will continue to lead and direct the movement for Hawaiian sovereignty? Has the process outlined by HSEC for a Hawaiian constitutional convention in 1998 been rejected outright in favor of a slower process of consensus-building ir the community? Or will two processes go forward simultane ously? No clear answer resulted from a Dec. 14 Hawaiian conferenee organized by HSEC to present its final report to the Hawaiian community. However, groups interested in continuing to meet for further discussion agreed to gather at Kualoa State Park on February 8. About 800 participants from all islands and representing many Hawaiian organizations attended the conference at the Blaisdell Arena. But in a day given over more to ceremonial chanting and protocol, agenda changes to accommodate additional speakers, and comments from the floor, substantive discussion was scarce about HSEC's recommendations for the future, or an alternative proposal. Many people signed up to speak but could not. Time ran out. Though many supported HSEC's work in the three years since its inception as a 20-member appointed body of Hawaiians selected from various Hawaiian organizations, eouneil members failed to secure unanimous support at the conference to continue its proposed process through Hā Hawai'i. Hā Hawai'i wants to follow up on the Native Hawaiian vote, that was conducted by mailout ballot in July and August 1996. Vote results announced in September following a iawsuit challenging its constitutionality, yielded a 73% "yes" response to the question "Shall the Hawaiian people elect delegates to propose a Native Hawaiian government." However, the Kānaka Maoli Liberation/Independence coalition of groups and individuals opposed to any statesupported process, claimed the vote proves the majority of Hawaiians do not support the process because only 26% of the 85,000 registered voters returned "yes" ballots. Approximately 60% of registered voters did not return ballots. Allowed time on the agenda at the HSEC conference, Ka Lāhui Hawai'i Kia 'Aina Mililani Trask called for Hawaiians to reject the HSEC proposal, whieh she says does not apply principles of self-determination as defined under international law. As Ka Lāhui members in the audience held up bright cards reading "'A'ole. No! Hā Hawai'i = State Control," Trask called upon Hawaiians to instead embrace a series of puwalu, discussions to build consensus. Holding out a ho'okupu to groups with whieh Ka Lāhui has clashed in the past, Trask asked, "Can we find a plaee to put down our individual group positions ... to work as a collective for our people?" HSEC's final report, with a tentative timehne, will be presented to the 1997 state Legislature and Office of Hawaiian Affairs. (* Copies of the report will be available at OHA offices and other Hawaiian institutions in early 1997.) The report calls for its work to be continued by Hā Hawai'i, a non-profit organization meant to provide a transition between HSEC and the election of delegates and convention. Hā Hawai'i seeks to raise about $8 million to hold a November 1997 election of 200 delegates, and a four-part convention in 1998 of delegates to re-establish Hawaiian sovereignty. The convention would be interspersed with consultations with the Hawaiian people. Hā Hawai'i will hold its first membership meeting in early 1997. For information write to: Hā Hawai'i, 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1205, Honolulu, Hawai'i 96813; or e-mail to tlani@aloha.net. Convention delegates' work, in subject committees,

would be to defend and develop the powers of an indigenous nation, such as: forming a government, making laws, assessing taxes, administering justice, managing land and natural resources, regulating commerce and a monetary system, conducting international relations, and defending sovereignty and human rights. HSEC's report proposes a mailout ballot for election of delegates. Eligible voters must be of Hawaiian ancestry, age i 18 by December 1997. Prison inmates could vote. Eligible delegates would be of Hawaiian ancestry, age 18 by December 1997; however prison inmates would not be eligible to run. Delegates must reside in the moku (district) whieh they seek to represent. HSEC's apportionment plan calls for the election of 200 delegates (whieh could be reduced to 100 if funding is not available). It is based upon 1990 U.S. Census data on the distribution of the total Hawaiian population of 209,593. 185 ; delegates are apportioned among Hawai'i, Maui, Moloka'i, O'ahu and Kaua'i, according to the population of eaeh moku. (Moku districts are based on the 1848 Māhele.) O'ahu, with the largest population (91,967 Hawaiians) would have the most delegates, 122. Next is Hawai'i (23,129) with 31 delegates, Maui (12,350) with 16 delegates, Kaua'i (7,510) with 10 delegates, Moloka'i (3,282) with 6 delegates. Ni'ihau, Lānā'i and overseas Hawaiians eaeh would have 5 delegates. HSEC envisioned a governance document emerging from the convention, whieh could be ratified by the people, possibly by March 1999. That document could form the basis for discussion and negotiations with the State of Hawai'i and the U.S. government for Native Hawaiian governance over political, eeonomie, social, educational, land and resources, cultural development and other areas.

ople'sH^ii^rc^f — — — — ____ M°«s O/ Hawa^, ^ I commnnti to ' the7Zf^Z is invi,™8 the 9^ ^'80 So^o<^ on^O'ahu31^3^11 "-9 p.m. introductionT _« o on Pri<lay, Jan j Saturday, Jan. jj and SuAandr8 a*m- to 5 p,m ' 1 registration is requir J . Y' Jan" U' lt's free bi,t Jvaiiableat a minimal elu^^ mferials w/li be I offtred, and a pā'inn ; f e restiments wiU be weleome. P9 ma Pte»ned. Donations are I dedicatedtore Srchand°SMd ^ Kaona- a group ^ces onaw s Qn ^bhc education on various The conference is an >r ^OUPs and their propose7mL Tm t0 hear various l" rmation contact; HenrvNS°fSOVereisnty For I ' — at 396"9S79, or I