Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 15, Number 9, 1 Kepakemapa 1998 — Ka Leo Kaiāulu [ARTICLE]

Ka Leo Kaiāulu

SOVEREIGNTY Why is the independence model called "international?" Is someone afraid to say the independence word? Somebody update that information before I barf. Education is the key. Educate your readers! Don't hide the facts. The right thing is to support those kanaka inaoli who are willing to pui their butts on the line. Independence is a reality - spiritually, legally, eeonomically and politically. Truly, your information needs serious revamping and updating. What does Aug. 12, 1998, mean for independence and the rest of the people who eall Hawai'i home? There should be some kind of investigation going on around the Perfect Title Company and the land titles in Hawai'i, supporting the true warriors on the front lines. Kawehi Kanui Hawai'i Hā Hawai'i is a nonprofit, private entity shoved down the throats of OHA voters with no mandate from them. The "Hawaiian Vote," eon-

ducted by legislative mandate, did not even include 5 1 percent of eligible voters. If you add 24,000 nonresident Hawaiians, living anywhere in the world, to the 92,000 eligible resident OHA voters, the total voter base should have been 116,000. Only 33,000 votes were cast, representing only 28.4 percent of the eligible voters. Instead of perpetuating the HA HI shibai, a comprehensive poll of the Hawaiians shouid be taken whieh asks hard questions: Do you believe in the right of Hawaiians to self-determation? How will Hawaiians determine their form of govemment? Choose one: Decolonization under the United Nations; Ho'omalu process; HA HI Convention of 59 delegates; a eonvention of 200 delegates; or no changes. Who should decide what kind of Hawaiian naīion evolves? A fair process ean be developed in whieh all Hawaiians participate. We will not permit a self-anointed ali'i group to tell us what our govemment should be. Hawaiians should be given the facts and decide for themselves. Never

underestimate the intelligence of grass roots Hawaiians. Lela M. Hubbard 'Aiea KUD0S I would like to commend OHA on its excellent Web site. I used to rely on my mother to send me the Ka Wai Ola o OHA whenever she could, about onee a year. I, like others of my generation, have had to leave the islands to survive eomfortably and pursue goals that were impossible in Hawai'i nei. We Hawaiians need to stress education, the only way we may proceed ahead. OHA is on the right path. Now, if only Hawaiians would eome together, agree on issues and not be afraid to SPEAK OUT. Hawai'i will always be home wherever I am on the mainland or in the world. Wehart Kaahumona Hosea St. Louis, MO NO ACCOUNTABILITY In 1996 and 1998, 1 went before OHA's Board of Trustees to expose numerous illegal acts perpetuated

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at Sand Island. The question is whether the state broke the public land trust. I told the board that if legally tested, Sand Island would be included in the ceded land trust. A news article titled "7Wo elaim favoritism and insider dealing at Sand Island," had exposed the fact that $500,000 was eontributed to numerous politicians. Milton Holt got S 1 79,000 and John Waihe'e got 579,000. I used a chart to illustrate that the state was parceling off the greatest revenue generating lands to political insiders. I pointed out that Cayetano chose to focus on $28 million paid to OHA as the reason the FAA was threatening to deny the state any more federal airport grants, conveniently sidestepping the fact the FAA had also ruled that the state had illegally diverted (stolen) $64.4 million from the state's coffers to buy Campbell Estate land. Now the governor wants to discuss the "airport ceded lands revenue issue" with Trustee Campos, Trustee Apoliona and Chair DeSoto. What about the investigation? Greg Wongham Honolulu

SLATES O.K. Two years ago, I ran for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs as an

independent. It was exciting, grueling and expensive. OHA - candidates cover the same statewide area as the governor. Further, the OHA eleeūon does not * have attrition from a primary. You are in the process until the general eleehon in November. We need reform. This year, I am again a candidate, however, I am one of five candidates on the I Mua Ke Ala Pono - '98 slate. Being part of such a team is more effective and efficient. OHA candidates must use resources in an akamai fashion. It takes nothing away from my independence, perspectives or resolution. My experience two years ago fueled my decision to run with a winning combination of Hawaiian administrators. It behooves me to read Ka Wai Ola, and I find Trustee Akana misused her August eolumn to grandstand against not just any OHA slate, but the slate whieh includes two current board members — I Mua Ke Ala Pono - '98! The fact her seat is at risk in the election makes her comments unethical! In my opinion, Trustee Akana should pay for her personal pol ilieal views as other candidates have, through advertisements. We are working together to help OHA blossom through growth and reform. After many hours of discussion we decided See LE i i ERS on page 6

Letters

From Page 3 what OHA needed and who could work for all Hawaiians. This effort developed into our team. As issues surface, you will find we are eaeh talented in our individual fields, eapable, and experienced administrators who want to lift the board to a new level of professionalism and respect. Decisions will be made individually, not by "rubber stamp." B. Mokihana Watson Waipahu Editor's note: Before puhlication, Ka Wai Ola contacted the State Ethics Commission whieh determined Trustee Akana's eolumn was appropriate for thisforum. OHA reserves the right to edit all lettersfor length, defamatory and libelous material, and other objectionable content, and reserves the right to print on a space available basis. All letters must be typed, signed and not exceed 200 words. Send letters to Ka Wai Ola o OHA, 711 Kapi'olani Blvd., Suite 500, Honolulu, Hawai 'i 96813. Readers ean also e-mail their letters to oha@aloha.net.